Basketball legend Michael Jordan said one of the main reasons why he played in the NBA well into his late 30s was because of all the stretching he did as part of his fitness routine.

And if it's good enough for 'Air' Jordan, then it must be good enough for any sports star, professional or amateur.

Stretching should be a vital part of everyone's fitness plans.

Martin Johnson needs to be in top shape

It makes you supple, flexible and can even improve your performance, making you faster, stronger and more agile.

Stretching also improves blood flow to the tissues, as well as helping to prevent injury.

For example, all those lunges and high ball controls that professional footballers do would damage their muscles if they weren't so supple and flexible.

Fast bowlers would strain their leg muscles when lunging forward to deliver the ball as too would tennis players, sliding along the clay courts at the French Open.

So why is stretching so important?

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