The Importance of Flexibility Training

The quality of professional development of exercise physiologists is determined by the quality of their professional thinking, which in turn is determined by the quality of their critical thinking - for critical thinking is the driving force behind professionalism. Without critical thinking skills, there is little reason to think of exercise physiologists as healthcare professionals. In fact, it is obvious that all the scientific papers, presentations, and posters by exercise physiologists at national and regional meetings cannot define exercise physiology as a profession. This point is within their understanding if they work at critical thinking as they have taught their students to think scientifically. Yet, many exercise physiologists continue to present their scientific papers without internalizing the concepts and principles essential to the underlying concepts of critical thinking and professionalism in exercise physiology. Despite having the doctorate degree and after teaching years of college and university courses, it is apparent that relatively few professors have the desire to become selfdirected, self-monitored, and self-corrective critical thinkers to guide their students’ path towards a professional understanding of flexibility training.

Keywords: Adaptive shortening, Adductors, Flexibility training, Hamstrings, Myocardial oxygen consumption, Oxygen transport, Plantar flexors, Stretching exercises.