lukeron.blogg.se

However, it should be noted that stretching muscles in your upper body is also beneficial.

Per Harvard Health Publishing, the “areas most critical for mobility are in your lower extremities – your calves, your hamstrings, your hip flexors in the pelvis and quadriceps at the front of the thigh.” To get started, it is important to identify which muscle groups should be prioritized, unless of course you have a condition or complication requiring you to stretch a certain muscle. These exercises are entirely within your control, and whatever suits your needs best will serve you and your health in the long run! You could take just a handful of these stretches to alleviate any muscle or joint pain and stiffness, or you can do all seven and incorporate them at the end of your existing workout or daily routine. One of the best parts about stretches is that your routine is completely customizable. Using These Stretching Exercisesīefore beginning your exercise, it’s important to ensure you have the proper equipment and space required. The goal here is not to “feel the burn,” but to gently bring your muscles to life.īefore we dive into the exercises, let’s talk about what you will need. Yet, like any exercise, make sure to listen to your body as it is much more sensitive to slow movements than in your younger days. Stretching exercises yield many health benefits for seniors ranging from injury prevention to mobility maintenance. No matter your level of activity, stretching exercises for seniors are an important addition to your routine. The less mobile joints are used, the less flexible and mobile seniors might be. Per the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, “ligaments, connective tissues between bones, become less elastic, reducing mobility.” Additionally, joint mobility is restricted as we age due to changes in tendons. When it comes to flexibility, your muscles, joints and tendons all change in a way that impacts flexibility for seniors and can affect your mobility, strength and more. Impact of Age on FlexibilityĪging affects many different parts of the body. Especially important for seniors, stretching exercises play a crucial role in fall prevention by helping you maintain your balance and overall strength. In addition to muscle and movement maintenance, stretching exercises can help delay the onset of diseases, such as diabetes and arthritis – it can even improve mental health. Staying active and mobile can be a challenge, but maintaining a healthy and active lifestyle means that we are working our body’s muscles to stay strong and mobile well into old age. Through proper care and exercise, however, we can strengthen our muscles and joints to help mitigate changes and keep our bodies strong and flexible. Our bodies, like any machine, undergo many changes as we age, which can make staying active and mobile all the more challenging. Is Stretching Good for Seniors?įor many older adults, maintaining mobility at an older age can be quite difficult. Here are nine of our favorites that will keep you active and healthy. Aging can take a toll on the body, but stretching is a great way to reduce aches, loosen up muscles and relax your joints.