According to Kenneth (1998), flexibility is a term that describes how much body parts such as tendons, ligaments, and muscles around the joints can freely move. This indicates that flexibility is not something general but specific to a particular joint or set of joints that is attainable in a momentary effort with the help of a partner or a piece of equipment (Kenneth, p. 45).
Kenneth, therefore, notes that being flexible in one particular area does not mean the entire body is flexible ( Kenneth, p. 60). Flexibility, therefore, is associated with the specific action performed by the joint which means the ability to do front splits does not mean the ability to do side splits even though both actions occur at the hip(Kenneth, p. 75). Kenneth further argues that flexibility plays a major role when it comes to sports which include; gymnastics, ice skating, driving, and even field events that involve the stretching of muscles such as high jump and hurdles(Kenneth, p. 100).
Types of Flexibility
According to Kenneth flexibility can be classified into different groups according to the various types of activities involved in athletic and training (Kenneth 120).Flexibility can be classified as Dynamic or active flexibility that is commonly associated with motion and Static or passive flexibility that is commonly associated with static (Kenneth, p. 122).
To begin with, dynamic or active flexibility can be termed as the ability of the muscles to perform dynamic or kinetic movements through the limbs in a full range of motion in the joints (Kenneth, p. 125). Kenneth furthermore describes Static or active flexibility as the ability to assume at the same time maintain extended positions through the use of tension of the agonists and synergists example could be lifting of a leg by keeping it high without any external support (Kenneth, p. 126). Kenneth argues that active flexibility is more related to sports achievement more than passive since active flexibility is harder to develop. In addition, Kenneth notes that both active and passive flexibility is required in order for a person to maintain initial extended positions since in both cases muscles are required to strengthen for the person to be able to hold and maintain the positions (Kenneth, p. 128).
Kenneth describes static or passive flexibility as the ability to assume extended positions by maintaining the positions using weight to support the limbs or other apparatus such as a chair. The ability to keep these positions does not come from muscles but it does with static-active flexibility (Kenneth, p. 127). An example could be the performance of splits.
Factors limiting Flexibility
According to Kenneth flexibility can be affected by two main factors. To begin with, Kenneth notes that the major factor affecting flexibility is the Connective Tissue (Kenneth, p. 128). Since the resistance to the lengthening of muscles is dependent upon its connective tissue when muscles elongate the surrounding connective tissues become tauter. Flexibility can also be restricted in certain joints of the muscles when changes occur in certain tissues leading to a chemical reaction that can cause joint stiffness (Kenneth 130).
According to Kenneth age is also an important factor affecting flexibility since as a person becomes old the tissues become less flexible as a result of certain changes that take place in the connective tissues (Kenneth, p. 130).This comes as a result of gradual change in the bodies due to dehydration. Kenneth states that stretching of the muscles causes the stimulation, production, and retention of lubricants between the connective tissue fibers, which further prevents the formation of adhesions which in the end leads to loss of flexibility (Kenneth, p. 133).
Body Composition
According to Kenneth body composition can be defined in relation to the relative proportions of fat, proteins,, water and mineral composition existing in the body. The compositions vary due to the differences in body density and degree of obesity (Kenneth, p. 170).The term body composition generally refer to the percentages of fat a person has that in the end determines the general health and fitness when linked to other factors like age, sex, weight (Kenneth, p. 171).
Kenneth argues that our bodies are made of water, fat, protein, carbohydrates, minerals and vitamins. The body composition mostly is made of a fat mass which is made up of muscles, water and bones. When people get older their body composition changes hence making the body to become weaker this therefore implies that a health body composition is determined by how much food a person eats and the exercise he/she does (Kenneth, p. 175).Kenneth notes that lean muscles burn calories faster which decreases the fat mass and bone density leading to low risk of osteoporosis.
Assessing the body composition
According to Kenneth body composition can be measured in three ways. The first way is hydrostatic or weighing which is a technique for assessing the body composition by estimation of the body volume and density. Bioelectrical is the second method and it based on the intracellular or extracellular fluids which are capable of electrical conduction Kenneth, p. 180).
The last method is Skinfold that involves the measuring of fat practically, economically and administratively through the field technique for body composition analysis. The process involves using skin tissues to estimate body density from which fat is calculated.
Conclusion
Flexibility and body composition are major elements that heavily contribute to good health of an individual.
Works cited
Kenneth.N.Anderson, Moby’s Medical, Nursing, & Allied Health Dictionary, Publisher: St Louis, ISBN: 0815146310 5th Edition, Pg 60-296, (1998)