How many of you struggle with touching your toes (done the proper way, with legs straight)? Or maybe you just always seem to be tight no matter how much you stretch.
Many studies have shown that people who are unable to touch their toes show a huge amount of poor flexibility which inhibits the ability to build muscle and makes them more susceptible to injuries, especially those involving your lower back.
The reality is that a thin film of connective tissue called fascia surrounds every bone, organ, and muscle in your body like a big sheet of plastic wrap. The fascia unites seemingly separate muscle groups, causing them to function together. One of the best examples of this is "superficial back line," a chain of fascia-linked muscles that run from the top of your head, down your back, and all the way to your toes. The fascia ties these muscles together in such a way that if one muscle is stiff, it can limit movement at any joint up or down the chain. So if you are unable to touch your toes or have a hard time with stretching...the limiting factor could be the muscles of your lower back, in your calves, or even on the bottom of your feet.
All of this matters because stiffness in you superficial back line prevents you from working your lower-body muscles through their entire range of motion. This also leads to poor lower-back posture when you are performing movements such as squats and lunges.
Try to add a stretching routine to your daily regimen and try to include strength exercises that a will help increase your flexibility. You want to focus on stretches and exercises that lengthen and strengthen the back, hips, calves and soles. One important fact is that tight foot muscles can reduce the flexibility of your ENTIRE LOWER BODY.
Health and Fitness. 2007. pg. 148.