Can You Gain Flexibility After Age 40?

Can You Gain Flexibility After Age 40?

Keeping yourself physically active as you get older is not only beneficial for your heart and lungs, but that helps you also protect your joints. A sedentary life causes the joints to lose the ability to move in a certain way, causing them to lose flexibility. By stretching and exercising regularly, you can improve your flexibility. It is important to start small, and gradually improve, as you gain flexibility. Check with your health care provider before beginning to physically activate or start a regular exercise program.

Considerations

The main reason why you lose flexibility as you get older is that the muscles lose strength and elasticity. In addition, some activities, such as leaning forward while working on the computer, shorten some muscles. This process makes you more susceptible to muscle injuries or fractures if you make awkward or jerky movements. You can also lose flexibility as you get older, in the early stages of arthritis. When you start stretching a muscle regularly, you lengthen the tendons that attach to the bones. The lengthening process increases your flexibility.

Stretching

Static stretching is an effective way to improve the range of movement in the joints and improves blood circulation to the muscles. A web page recommends stretching the most important muscle groups between two and three times a week. When performing a static stretch, you want to lengthen the muscle gradually, maintain the elongated position and let the muscle return to its resting position. Work slowly to do the stretch for 30 seconds in the extended position. Never continue stretching if you experience excessive pain or discomfort. Also, never stretch a hurt or injured muscle.

Aquatic exercise

A particularly effective way to improve your flexibility if you are over 40 years of age and have been inactive, is to exercise in the water. According to the Arthritis Foundation, exercising in the water helps joints and freedom of movement. And, according to the American Council on Exercise, you can move the joints through in a wider range. You can do exercises in the water on your own or participate in an organized class. Make sure the class you are enrolling in is appropriate for your age and fitness level.

Yoga

Yoga is a form of mind-body exercise that combines mental and physical discipline. Yoga offers a series of body postures that help increase your strength and flexibility. The postures are performed simultaneously with controlled breathing exercises, which help the muscles to relax.The number of older adults who participate in yoga has grown because doctors have recommended it, according to the AARP. If you have led a sedentary life, it is important to start with a level one class, or a class designed for older adults.

Video Tutorial: How to Gain Flexibility After 40 (Part 1).

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