The Benefits of Stretching

By: Ken Asselin

Health and Fitness

The human body is flexible. It is suppose to be flexible. You must be capable of bending to reach whatever on the floor. You must be able to close the back of your best dress on your own. You must be able to grab that book you need to read at the top shelf.

These are easy functions. Nothing exceptional about them, you just stretched out a little. However, if there are
problemsin doing these easy motions, then you are stretching your limits. You will need a stretching program.

What Is Stretching?

Stretching is simply the act of extending to maximum length the body or simply a portion of it. This activity requires straightening and stretching the structure and the limbs.

How Does One Do the Stretching?

Stretching is quite easy. As mentioned in the introduction, it is part of the normal activities. It can be done by anyone, regardless of age.

However the amount of stretching and flexing differs. The muscles tighten as people age. The range of joint movements can be minimized. This could very well obstruct a very active way of life. That is why as the person grows older, bending and flexing becomes more limited. This is why stretching on a regular basis, as part of a routine is most important.

Easy stretches can be done everyday. It can be included in the lifestyle and the daily routine. It wont require very much of your time.

Stretching exercises can also be done while training. Actually, stretching is an essential part of anytraining and sport. It must be done first before anything else. Stretching the body and the limbs is a good preparation for a more rigorous activity.

Most athletes would do the sit and reach, wherein they position on the floor, stretch their legs and touch the top of their foot with the tip of their fingers. Actually, most trainers actually require their athletes to really do the stretching before beginning to play.

There is of course a preferred length of time in stretching. It is advised to do it in 10 minutes. This will allow the body enough time to move and exersizethe muscles, thus preparing them for more complicated and strenuous movements.

Most experts however would frown upon going way beyond 10 minutes. Stretching the program to 30 minutes or more will already wear out the body. This will not be a good idea if one is preparing for a game.

What Are the Benefits of Stretching?

1. Increase the Range of Movement.
As one consistanly do the stretching exercises, the range of the muscles and the tendons is also increased. This will improve the range of your movement. Thus, the limbs and joints will be able to stretch, way before an injury would happen. You are without doubt physically fit.

2. Increased Ability to Do more things.
When you have a wide range of movement, the more you will be able to do more things. As an example, you will be able to jump high without causing any discomfort when you land on the floor. This will also help you start a new sport or excell if you are in one. Stretching in this aspect will allow you to have a much more active lifestyle.

3. Injury Prevention.
You can prevent many injuries to joints, tendons and muscles with stretching. When the muscles and tendons are well flexed, they are considered in good condition. This would help in a better recovery and decreased soreness. Your muscles would be able to take more difficult and strenous movements with less probability of injury.

4. Reduce Muscle Tension.
As the muscles recieve their regular exercises and stretching, it is less probable that they will contract. This will definitely relieve you of any muscle pain or injury.

5. Energy Enhancement.
Being able to move more will definetly give you more energy. Stretching will also help enhance your awareness, like knowing that your body that is able to do many things. As such, you would be more driven to be more active rather than sulk in the corner.

6. Reduces Cholesterol.
Research does show that doing prolonged stretching exercises, like yoga, willhelp reduce the cholesterol in the body. This of course must be done with a proven healthy diet. This should prevent and probably reverse the hardening of the arteries, allowing you to avoid coronary problems.

Include stretching in your everyday lifestyle. It has benefits you cant say no to. It certainly doesn't require much. It can be your normal activities, bending and flexing every now and then. Remember that, your fitness is everything so keep doing everything you can to keep the body healthy.

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Ken Asselin in webmaster for the Selections Guide series of websites. You can visit his Health and Fitness website at: ">www.health-fitness.selectionsguide.com

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