Is Physical Flexibility Natural?

Flexible by cdw9 is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

“Flexible” by cdw9 is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

By: Valerie Lai, Reporter

Splits. Scorpion. Firebird.

If you’re physically flexible, chances are you’ve heard those three words. Many people ask whether their flexibility is natural, because they seem to be more bendy than their peers. The answer: almost everyone is born flexible, it’s whether you maintain that skill that matters.

As people get older, they slowly lose their flexibility. Why? Because they aren’t stretching enough. Gymnasts, dancers, figure skaters, and contortionists are able to keep up their flexibility for a long time, since they stretch almost every day.

All in all, stretching is crucial to maintain physical flexibility. Yes, everyone is born with it, but sustaining your ability is the most important.

RELATED STORIES:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK241323/

https://www.freeletics.com/en/blog/posts/flexibility/

https://health.ucdavis.edu/sportsmedicine/resources/flexibility_descriprion.html