At what age are kids most flexible?: The question inspired this article. We thought that if someone asks for it, others will be too.
You’re not the only one who has compared your child’s behaviour to that of a rubber band. Many kids’ connective tissues, i.e.
Their ligaments and tendons are more flexible than adults, so they find comfort in positions like this ‘W” sitting pose.
This flexibility is a result of many factors. Many of the bones of young children are composed of cartilage, which is more flexible than bone.
Do not worry about this; the bones will naturally harden over time. This is also why bones in children can break and then bend (called buckle breaks), whereas adults’ bones break.
Some children will remain hypermobile or flexible throughout their lives. Hypermobility can be a sign of connective tissue disorders like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. [At what age are kids most flexible?]
7 best stretching moves to perform more flexible your kids
- Cat-Cow Stretch (Spinal Flexibility)
- Child’s Pose (Back & Hip Flexibility)
- Butterfly Stretch (Hip Flexors & Inner Thighs)
- Cobra Stretch (Abdominals & Lower Back)
- Downward Dog (Hamstrings & Shoulders)
- Frog Pose (Hip Flexibility)
- Side Stretch (Lateral Stretch)
1. Cat-Cow Stretch (Spinal Flexibility)
The cat-cow is a popular exercise for mobilizing the spine during warm-ups or yoga. If you aren’t a yogi, it’s time to learn the cat-cow mobility exercise.
Unroll the best Yoga Mat, and begin in a tabletop pose on your hands or knees. Inhale and gently lower your belly to your mat while lifting your chin toward the ceiling. This will create a soft curve in your back.
This range of motion can have many benefits for the body. This video shows you how to perform cat-cow in the correct form. It also explains its benefits and some common mistakes.
In the cat phase, you will create full spine flexion. However, in the cow position, you will be extending your spine.
It’s also a good exercise for beginners. Some yoga instructors also use it to help with symptoms associated with sciatica. [At what age are kids most flexible?]
2. Child’s Pose (Back & Hip Flexibility)
The child’s pose does not work as a strength-building exercise. This forward-bending movement stretches your entire body and can improve your mobility.
A child’s pose also stretches muscles in your shoulders, such as the trapezius, which support and move your neck and shoulders.
This is a great way of stretching your flexors which can become tight if you sit in the same position.
If you vary the child’s position, your glutes, obliques, and thighs will also be stretched.
The child’s pose improves flexibility and mobility while relieving muscle tension. This exercise can have many benefits. [At what age are kids most flexible?]
Read Also: Can I become flexible at 19?
3. Butterfly Stretch (Hip Flexors & Inner Thighs)
The butterfly stretch works primarily on your inner thighs and hips. This stretch is also good for reducing tension within your pelvic muscles. You may find that your back pain is reduced as you stretch and stabilize this area.
This stretch is good for relaxing your pelvic muscles. You may find that your back pain is lessened as you stretch and stabilize these areas. Climbing stairs and getting in and out of the car will also be easier.
Butterfly stretch: Place your soles together, then allow your legs to fall out either side to the floor. This will make your legs look like a butterfly. [At what age are kids most flexible?]
4. Cobra Stretch (Abdominals & Lower Back)
Cobra yoga poses can have many benefits. They may help to stretch and strengthen muscles, reduce depression symptoms, and improve self-esteem.
Cobra Pose is one of the few yoga poses that are both accessible and holistic. Cobra Pose, also known in Sanskrit by the name Bhujangasana is one of a few postures taught at all levels of yoga. Cobra is a backbend pose, where you bend your spine forward, known as spinal extension.
It is important to move in this direction to counteract the forward motion we all make and the rounded shapes that many of us have developed due to our constant use of computers and other electronic devices.
Cobra is often woven into Sun Salutations’ warm-up sequence, but it’s an incredibly powerful pose. We should all do this at least once every day. [At what age are kids most flexible?]
Read Also: Does Flexibility affect height?
5. Downward Dog (Hamstrings & Shoulders)
Adho Mukha Svanasana is a fundamental pose in yoga. This asana is an inversion but also a strengthening exercise for the arms.
This posture stretches our hamstrings, calf muscles and the entire length of our back legs. The shoulders and spine are also worked hard. Stretches hips, calves, and hamstrings while strengthening quadriceps and ankles. It tones your abdominals and arms and opens up your chest and shoulders.
Downward dog requires the proper activation and coordination of certain body sections, including the shoulders, wrists, hamstrings and calves.
Our hips will flex as we take this pose. We will extend our elbows and knees and point our “sit bones” towards the ceiling.
We must press our hands into the mat and evenly spread our fingers. Our shoulders should also be flexed, and we rotate them externally. The ankles are flexed backwards, the lumbar spinal spine is extended, and the neck is flexed. [At what age are kids most flexible?]
6. Frog Pose (Hip Flexibility)
The frog position is also known as the “pelvic breaker” because it provides a powerful inner thigh stretch, hip and groin opening and a deep groin opening.
It is a stretch that relies on hip rotation to the outside on both sides. Combined with a slight push backwards, it can be mentally and physically demanding. This is especially difficult for people like me who spend long periods sitting down.
It is also a great way to stretch the adductors, which run along the inner thighs, hips, and lower back. Are hip flexors causing you pain? Try this.
It can help you improve your posture, achieve greater depth in squats or lunges, and ease tightness around the hips.
It’s an uncomfortable exercise that can be done for a long time. Many yogis hate the call to the frog during yin-style classes. [At what age are kids most flexible?]
7. Side Stretch (Lateral Stretch)
Standing Side Bend Pose: While the side in the lateral stretch is full, the opposite side’s muscles are contracted.
The lateral stretch causes the Psoas to stretch the most. In this position, the opposite side of the body contracts.
The lateral psoas muscle and the IT band are stretched. Wide-legged feet with toes and legs grounded tone the muscles in the posterior leg, such as the Achilles tendon, the calf muscle, and the plantaris.
The core and the muscles around the anterior leg’s shin bone, ligaments and tendons are also strengthened.
The side bend lengthens your spine. The lower body is stretched at the hips, thighs and legs to keep the spine’s base. The extension strengthens the muscles and joints. [At what age are kids most flexible?]
Conclusion:
Children are typically most flexible between ages 3 and 8 due to their naturally soft tissues and elastic joints. This flexibility can decline with age if not maintained through regular physical activity and stretching. However, consistent practice allows flexibility to be preserved and even improved as kids grow older.[At what age are kids most flexible?]
1. When do kids tend to be the most flexible?
Ans: Children are most flexible from the age of 3 to 8 years old. This is because their joints and muscles are still developing. They have a wider range of motion during this time. It will naturally decrease as they age if they do not maintain their flexibility through regular stretching exercises and physical activity.
2. Why do younger children have more flexibility than older kids and adults?
Ans: Children have more flexible joints and softer tissues. Their ligaments are less rigid than older children or adults. This contributes to their greater flexibility.
3. Can flexibility be maintained or improved as kids grow older?
Ans: Yes, flexibility can be maintained or improved with regular stretching exercises and physical activities like gymnastics, yoga, and dance. Encouraging kids to stay active helps them retain their flexibility as they grow.
