Beginning an exercise program in middle age – flexibility training
Every component of a healthy exercise program provides specific benefits and generally the benefits increase as more time is invested. But flexibility training offers the most bang for the buck. Just ten minutes of regular stretching each day can provide significant benefits including the ability to move through everyday activities with greater ease and comfort. Exercise physiologists refer to that benefit as functional health. According to guidelines provided by the American College of Sports Medicine, “functional health is an important benefit of physical activity for older adults. Physical activity contributes to the ease of doing everyday activities, such as gardening, walking or cleaning the house. Flexibility training will promote the ease of performing these everyday activities.”
As individuals move through adulthood, past middle age and into senior life, it is typical that their lifestyles become less active. This decrease in activity means that our bodies are used less and joints and muscles become more stiff. As with balance training, the old adage applies: use it or lose it. Flexibility training:
- Promotes functional health
- Reduces stress
- Improves range of motion in the joints
- Helps prevent muscle soreness
- Can ease aches and pains
- Helps prevent injuries
This video from the American College of Sports Medicine YouTube channel provides basic information to help you get started with a flexibility program of your own.
This article is the final installment of a five part series on beginning an exercise program in middle age. Check out previous articles on the Colon Cancer Coalition blog about strength training, balance training, aerobic activity and the benefits of a healthy exercise program.
(photo source: HeyJules45 on Flickr!)
