Neuroscience of Flexibility: Why Your Brain Says No to Stretching

Have you ever heard the theory that when under anaesthesia, anyone can do the full splits? Is our flexibility really more about our mind than our muscles and tendons, or is this just an urban myth? 00:00 – 'Unconscious splits' theory 00:42 – What does the science say? 01:12 – Why your brain says no to stretching 01:57 – Stretch tolerance 02:55 – The verdict #sciencefacts #neuroscience #humanbody #flexibility #stretching References: American Sports & Fitness Association, 2022, ‘5 Factors Affecting Flexibility’ Eade, 2023, ‘What determines how flexible you are?’ Harvard Health Publishing, 2015, ‘Benefits of flexibility exercises’ Maldarelli, 2021, ‘Why can’t we all touch our toes?’ Physiopedia, 2024, ‘Flexibility’ Shahid, 2023, ‘Stretch reflex’ TED-Ed, 2023, ‘How stretching actually changes your muscles - Malachy McHugh’ Additional video, photos and graphics supplied by Pixabay, Adobe Stock and Envato Elements Music and sound effects from Pixabay and Envato Elements