Stretching: The Many Benefits

Many people who are not experienced with working out often forget to use one of the most helpful forms of relaxation to get the body prepared for hard work: stretching.  Not many people place much importance on flexibility, even though it has a plethora of intrinsic benefits.

 Research has shown that the benefits of stretching include the following:

1.        An increase in range of motion

2.       A reduction of lower back pain and injury

3.       A reduction of the severity of an injury

4.       Improvement of posture and muscle symmetry

5.       The delay in the onset of muscle fatigue

6.       An alleviation of soreness in muscles after exercise

7.       Increase muscular efficiency

8.       Mental relaxation

9.       Opportunities for spiritual growth, meditation and self-evaluation

10.   Personal enjoyment and gratification

That is quite the exhaustive list, which shows the importance of flexibility for overall health.  There are a few things that affect one’s ability to stretch.  Usually, as people get older, they have a more difficult time stretching, because there is a loss in elasticity in the connective tissues surrounding the muscles.  Gender is also an issue.  Females tend to be more flexible than males.  There is a basic anatomical variation in joint structures that gives them are larger range of motion. 

Exercise history is also important.  If your body is used to being moved in its range of motion, then it will be easier to get the specific stretches completed.

For more information on ways to stay healthy, including nutrition, medicine, and exercise, visit www.healthdirectoryforyou.com .