Question

Write any three physiological factors affecting flexibility.

Answer 1

When we talk about physiological, or internal, factors that affect flexibility, we're referencing the things we can't necessarily change.

One of the most important factors is joint structure. Our bodies are made up of different joints, and some of them have a naturally higher range of motion than others. For example, some bones, like those in the skull, are fused together, offering no range of motion at all. You can't bend around these fixed joints. Then we have joints that offer limited movement, like the spine, which is made up of vertebrae. Vertebrae are connected by cartilage and allow you to bend in some directions but not in others (each vertebra can't spin independently of the others). Finally, we have joints that allow the greatest range of motion like the elbows or shoulders. The purpose of the joint automatically determines how much flexibility you can possibly have around it even before training begins.

Another factor we can't control is age. As we get older, we tend to lose flexibility, especially if we aren't active. Daily repetitive movements or postural habits use the same joints and muscles over and over, reducing flexibility in the joints and muscles we don't use as much. Wear-and-tear also takes a toll on the body and its connective tissues. Even our body's chemistry changes with age.

The body's connective tissues play a large role in flexibility. Connective tissues connect structures to each other; these tissues can include ligaments (connect bones to one another), tendons (connect muscles to bones), and cartilage (cushion between bones). Things such as age and injury can affect how the connective tissues change and function. For example, as we age, ligaments lose elasticity. Like a rubber band, a ligament with elasticity is able to stretch out and then return to its original length during rest. As ligaments lose elasticity, they lose the ability to stretch out, reducing flexibility.

We also tend to lose cartilage due to aging or injury. Once cartilage is gone, bones can begin rubbing against one another, which is painful and reduces our range of motion (a condition commonly known as arthritis). Finally, muscle fibers are slowly replaced by less flexible connective tissues in a process called fibrosis. This reduces flexibility and means the muscles take longer to respond to a stimulus.

Last on our list is gender. Generally speaking, women are more flexible than men.