Physical Education

Unit Preparation Guide

UNIT or ACTIVITY: Flexibility

YOUR NAME: Kevin Larsen
HISTORY or BACKGROUND OF THE ACTIVITY OR SPORT:
The history of flexibility or stretching can be traced as far back as the time of the ancient
Greeks, who used stretching exercises as part of the training routine for their athletes and
military personnel, as well as for general health maintenance. Hippocrates and Galen, the
two great contributors to the field of medicine, explored the therapeutic advantages of
stretching.
In 1874, Dr. Andrew Taylor from the United States introduced the science of osteopathy.
Osteopathic treatment utilizes passive stretching of the soft tissues to restore normal
structure and function. Later on, stretching found another therapeutic use when, in 1895,
chiropractic was established, based on the hypothesis that every problem originates from
misalignment of the vertebrae that restricts the flow of energy from the brain.
ETIQUETTE:
Dress in workout clothes and shoes for flexibility exercises. For classroom setting the
lesson should include group activities as well as individual activities. Be prepared to
make adjustments as necessary as the lesson progresses.
Exercise should be age appropriate and for younger children should include a fun activity
to keep them focused and involved.
SAFETY:
Stretching cold muscles can cause injury; its best to warm them up first before doing any
stretches. Never bounce while stretching, it can cause a strained muscle or other injuries.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
Various equipment can be used such as floor mats, resistance bands, and exercise balls for
stability, medicine balls and weights. Sport balls such as soccer balls, basketballs, and
footballs can also be used during flexibility exercises.

RULES:
Static stretches you hold a stretch until you feel a gentle pull on the muscle and hold for
15-30 seconds. Practice proper breathing or controlled breathing. Take a breathe in as you
stretch and you breathe out as you relax.
Flexibility can be any exercise that moves your joints through a full range of motion.
PLAYING AREA DIMENSIONS or MARKINGS:
A gym or workout room can be used for flexibility exercises. There are no specific sizes
of room needed.
5 MULTIPLE CHOICE TEST QUESTIONS FOR THIS SPORT:
1. Static stretching is
a. preparing the body for movement
b. for reducing injury, and improve performance
c. for weight lifting
2. Flexibility is
a. strength training
b. cardiovascular training
c. the joints ability to move through a full range of motion
3. Flexibility exercises must be performed in a gym.
a. True
b. False
4. Stretching cold muscles can cause injury.
a. True
b. False
5. A flexible joint
a. reduces injury
b. has more ability to move through a full range of motion
c. uses less energy to move through a full range of motion
d. All of the above