Stretching…it’s good!
Regular exercise is super important in maintaining a healthy quality of life on many levels. However, the importance of stretching is commonly overlooked and often leads to injury that may be avoided. We require our muscles’ flexibility to maintain the range of motion in our joints, and by stretching regularly, our muscles can maintain strength, flexibility, and health.
Without stretching, our muscles can shorten causing both tightness, weakness, and an inability to reach their full length when you want them to work. When this is the case, you run the danger of developing joint soreness, muscle sprains, and other injuries. When tight muscles are suddenly called upon for a strenuous activity that involves dynamic movement, such as playing tennis, they may become damaged from suddenly being stretched. When a muscle is injured, it may not be strong enough to support the joints, which can lead to joint injury.
Regular stretching, daily or every other day, keeps muscles long, lean, and flexible. This means they have the ability to function at their full capacity and not transfer unnecessary loads through other structures to compensate for their tightness.
So, stretch when you can, 30 second stretches are the best!
– Vicki