In this article we analyze flexibility games in Physical Education.
Flexibility games are included in the games for primary education. They are usually performed in the area of physical education with children to work on the basic physical capacity referred to.
We explain what flexibility is, its importance at school age and we teach you flexibility games in Physical Education and develop it both inside and outside the educational environment.
What are flexibility games?
First of all, it seems necessary to define what we mean by flexibility. According to Martinez del Haro, it is the range of motion of a joint or several joints within their natural limits.
Flexibility is the ability of joints to have a certain range of motion.
It is the capacity that, based on joint mobility and muscle elasticity, allows the maximum range of motion of the joints in different positions, allowing the individual to perform actions that require agility and dexterity (1).
The justification of flexibility work as part of the physical conditioning sessions is justified by the relationship that has always existed between flexibility and its benefits, among which we can highlight the following(2):
- that of increasing the temperature of the musculature
- decrease in pain
- increasing the range of motion of a joint
- increased tolerance to stretching
- assisting in the body’s return to calm and recovery after intense exertion
- reduced risk of injury
- improved performance, especially in sports that require a very wide range of motion, such as gymnastics and martial arts.
As we see it has multiple benefits, therefore it would be ideal that in the classroom flexibility games are carried out in Physical Education, to improve this physical ability from an early age.
What types of stretching are there?
There are different types of stretches that work on flexibility:
- ballistic stretches: these are rhythmic bouncing, throwing or swinging movements in which there is a large increase in muscle length per unit of time.
- dynamic stretches: these can increase the temperature of the muscles, and this increase allows for greater and faster muscle contraction. This, in turn, causes an increase in the speed of nerve impulse transmission.
- static stretching: the movement and elongation occurs in such a way that the position of the stretch is maintained.
- stretching in active tension: a joint action of muscle stretching and isometric contraction occurs at the same time.
- proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation: this is a technique that favors the neuromuscular mechanism thanks to the stimulation of the proprioceptors.
The technique consists of the following: first, an active-assisted stretching of the muscle is performed for about 10 seconds.
This is followed by an isometric contraction for 6 seconds and then a relaxation of several seconds (2-3).
Finally, and before repeating the cycle, a stretch of greater joint amplitude is performed, with contraction of the antagonist muscle, for about 10 seconds.
Flexibility games for children
In Primary and Secondary Physical Education, flexibility can be worked in isolated sessions, or within the work of a specific sport.
Finally, and perhaps most commonly, as part of the “Fitness and Health” block through flexibility games in Physical Education.
With this block, Physical Education aims to contribute to the acquisition of knowledge and skills on certain healthy habits that will accompany children and adolescents beyond the compulsory stage (3).
In addition, as mentioned above, it aims to achieve the objectives of both the content of Physical Education itself, as well as the improvements and benefits linked to the work of physical abilities and, in this case, of flexibility.
It should be taken into account that flexibility improves until the age of 12-14 years, but after that it gradually decreases.
For all these reasons, it is essential that physical education teachers develop content related to the work of flexibility in their classes.
In this way, and with a view to adulthood, students will not have flexibility problems and thus will not have so many possibilities of injury or serious pathologies (3).
Flexibility games in Physical Education
We can make a classification of flexibility games in physical education, taking into account the age of the subjects. These games are detailed below.
Flexibility games in physical education for children between 6-9 years old
- Games of imitation and imagination in which flexibility is worked, as well as expression and coordination (4):
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Games with different positions, where at the signal of the teacher or the adult working with them, they perform different movements: for example, they start with jumps from an imaginary box and when they get out of the box they have to stretch different muscle groups. Games where joy, sadness… are represented through dance and pauses are made with stretching.
- In groups of 3-4 they perform a small dance where figures that require a good articular range appear.
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Flexibility games in physical education for children over 10 years old.
- From 10 years and older, specific sports games can be used, and simulations of them can be done with alternative materials. For example:
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- “The regatta”: the students are divided into two rows. The first in each row picks up a ball and passes it to the partner behind, turning the trunk and placing it on the floor. The next in line picks it up from the floor and does the same. The next person in line picks it up from the ground and does the same. The team that gets the ball to the last member of the group (5) first wins.
- Variations: turning the trunk, passing the ball under the legs, over the head, etc.
- “The regatta”: the students are divided into two rows. The first in each row picks up a ball and passes it to the partner behind, turning the trunk and placing it on the floor. The next in line picks it up from the floor and does the same. The next person in line picks it up from the ground and does the same. The team that gets the ball to the last member of the group (5) first wins.
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| Title | The Regatta |
| Objective | Develop flexibility through a dynamic game |
| Material | Ball |
| Description | Students line up in two rows. The first in each row picks up a ball and passes it to the teammate behind them, twisting their torso and placing the ball on the ground. The next in line picks it up from the ground and repeats the process. The team that successfully moves the ball to the last member of the group first wins. |
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- The “Crab race”: in groups of 3-4, the goal is to reach a cone by squatting down, touching it, and running back with relays. The team that manages to do it the fastest is the winner. The members of each group stand in a line. The first of each team will try to reach the cone and return before the rest, when he reaches the exit and meets his teammate, he will collide his hand with his teammate’s hand so that he can leave.
- “The twister“: in this game of flexibility, children must place the supports (both hand and foot) in the colors that are assigned. They must hold their balance for as long as possible.
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| Name | Twister |
| Objective | To work on balance using different supports |
| Resources | Twister mat |
| Description | Place the Twister mat on the floor and assign a number to each student. The teacher will randomly call out either a foot or hand, left or right, and a color. The students must place the indicated limb on the corresponding color. They must maintain their balance on the designated supports for as long as possible. |
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- “Limbo”: this can be done in a large group or in subgroups. The objective is to pass under the stick without touching it with any part of the body. Two participants hold a stick, while the rest have to pass under it by leaning their trunk backwards. When a child touches the limbo, he/she is eliminated. Once all the participants have passed, they go down a little further. The last player remaining is the winner. Variations can be applied and not eliminate, do it with music and follow the rhythm, etc.
- The “Handkerchief Hunt”: with this flexibility game, the students put a handkerchief in the back of their pants. They are placed along the length of the pavilion and all must move in quadruped, avoiding being robbed of the handkerchiefs and stealing as many as possible.
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| Title | The Handkerchief Hunt |
| Objectives | To collect the maximum number of handkerchiefs possible |
| Material | Handkerchiefs |
| Description | Each player has a handkerchief attached to the back of their pants. Players must walk or run on all fours, trying to grab handkerchiefs from others while protecting their own. |
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- “The row”: In this flexibility game, the children stand in a line and try to pass the ball under their legs until it reaches the last one in the line. Afterwards, he/she goes first and passes the ball backwards again.
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| Title | The Line |
| Objective | Improve flexibility through ball games |
| Materials | Balls |
| Description | Students are divided into groups. They pass the ball under their legs until it reaches the last person in the line, who picks it up, moves to the front of the line, and passes it again. This continues until the group moves from the starting point to the end of the field. |
| Variation | Introduce 1, 2, or 3 additional balls |
Most flexibility games in physical education are useful for all ages.
The important thing is to modify them in order to create variations that adapt to the characteristics of the students or participants with whom you are working, whether they are 8 or 16 years old.
It is important to make these flexibility games in physical education as motivating as possible and involve in one way or another the work and development of flexibility.
Conclusions
In conclusion, it can be said that flexibility is fundamental as part of physical fitness. Therefore, it is important to work through flexibility games in Physical Education.
It is necessary to work on it since childhood, so that, before starting to lose it, it can be maintained and even improved through games and training.
Flexibility games in physical education are a great alternative of practice for the development of flexibility and a novel and motivating option for students.
Bibliography
- Muñoz, D. (2009). Basic physical capacities. Evolution, factors and development. Practical sessions. Efdeportedeportes,(1), 1.
- Ayala, F., de Baranda, P. S., & Cejudo, A. (2012). Flexibility training: stretching techniques. Andalusian Journal of Sports Medicine, 5(3), 105-112.
- Sainz de Baranda Andújar, P. (2009). Flexibility work in physical education: Intervention program. Cultura_Ciencia_Deporte [CCD], 4(10).
- Suárez, M. (2015). Playful activities for the improvement of flexibility in girls from 3 to 5 years old from Anzoátegui State of the Vista del Mar municipality, Venezuela. EFdeportes, 20 (205).
- Machín, R. (2010). Flexibility games in physical education. EFdeportes, 14 (141).
