1. Increase and maintain complete range of motion of the joint.

2. Relieve muscle soreness. Light exercise promotes a better supply of blood and oxygen to the muscles than complete rest and should be pursued unless severity of injury to muscles or joints precludes further activity.

3. Help improve our capacity for activity. Stretched muscles require less energy for completion of movements.

4. Assists in decreasing unnecessary neuromuscular tension, promoting general body relaxation and reducing emotional stress.

5. Relieve muscle-joint stiffness associated with the aging process.

6. Increased musculotendious extensibility, muscle can be stretched 1. 6 times it's resting length before it tears.

7. Elongate the fascia, which provides the binding together muscle support system. Elasticity varies between individuals and is a major reason some individuals experience slower progress in flexibility attainment.

8. Help prevent joint sprains, muscle strains or tears including preventing re-injury to previous joint and muscle trauma.

9. Major part of the pre-activity warm-up is increasing tissue temperature by an increased metabolic rate.

10. Part of the warm-down process to increase blood flow to the fatigued area, eliminate toxic waste products from cells, reduce soreness, muscle relaxation and additional flexibility improvement.

11. Help provide greater potentials of physical and athletic skills.

12. Reduction of tightness that may contribute to pain, spasm or cramping.

13. Provides an important adjunct toward recovery during the rehabilitation process.