In flexibility training, what is primarily changed in the muscles?

In flexibility training, the primary focus is on altering the length and elasticity of the muscles. This training emphasizes the ability of muscles and surrounding connective tissues, like tendons and ligaments, to stretch and adapt to increased ranges of motion. When individuals engage in flexibility routines, they typically perform stretches that help to elongate these muscle fibers, allowing them to extend further than they might have previously.

This increased length contributes to enhanced elasticity, which is the muscle's ability to return to its original shape after being stretched. These changes are essential for overall functional movement, injury prevention, and improving athletic performance, as they facilitate a greater range of motion in joints.

On the other hand, while strength and endurance, balance and coordination, or flexibility and power might also be relevant in different training contexts, they do not directly pertain to the core goal of flexibility training, which is specifically aimed at maximizing muscle elasticity and length.