Lifetime Workout 3 – Flexibility

at 11:55AM, 1:55PM, and 3:55PM

"If you don’t use it, you lose it". We have heard this phrase over and over again. The reason that we hear it is because it is true. Our body’s flexibility changes over time. With little physical activity and no stretching our bodies lose their flexibility at a rate of 10% every 10 years. As we reach our older years that ten percent can add up quickly to turn into immobility. Stretching helps to keep muscles loose and bring back the mobility that was lost.

A Big Stretch

On a long car ride that lasts hours at a time we find it necessary to stop in the middle of the trip, get out and stretch. We desire to get to our destination in a reasonable amount of time, but we will still take the time to stop and stretch our muscles. Our bodies do not like to be inactive and they let us know by giving us uncomfortable feelings when the muscles have not been used. If we naturally feel that our muscles need to be stretched on a regular basis it is for good reason. Loosing our mobility and flexibility can hinder us from living our daily lives. When doing your daily exercise routine it is important to incorporate stretching. Stretching improves your range of motion, which improves balance and prevents falling. Stretching also relieves chronic back pain, reduces tension, improves circulation, concentration, boosts energy and improves posture.

Stretching Exercises

There are many different beneficial stretching exercises. In our episode on flexibility Physiologist Steve West shows Suzanne some simple exercises that anyone can do: Stretching the hamstrings with an armed and an unarmed chair, calve stretches with a ballet bar, triceps stretching with a flex band, a simple wrist stretch and a lateral torso stretch in an arm chair. Stretching might be uncomfortable at times, but it should not hurt. It is important to warm up before doing stretching exercises by doing them after an endurance or strength exercise.