It is helpful to retain flexibility via stretching. It is common for us to forget that while we are younger, our muscles are in better shape. One of the consequences of aging is a reduction in the flexibility of the tendons and muscles. Muscles undergo a shortening process and become dysfunctional. This makes it difficult to perform daily activities, such as bending down to tie your shoes, and it also raises the risk of muscular cramps and soreness, muscle injury, strains, joint pain, and falls. Additionally, it makes it more difficult to go through daily chores.
In a similar vein, stretching the muscles on a regular basis makes them longer and more flexible, which in turn increases your range of motion, decreases the likelihood of injury, and lessens the amount of discomfort you experience.
Aim to incorporate stretching into your routine on a daily basis, or at the very least, three or four times per week.
You should begin by warming up your muscles by performing dynamic stretches for a few minutes. These stretches involve repetitive motions such as marching in place or arm circles. Because of this, blood and oxygen are delivered to the muscles, which in turn makes them more malleable.
In the following step, you will practice static stretches for the calves, the hamstrings, the hip flexors, the quadriceps, and the muscles of the shoulders, neck, and lower back. These stretches include keeping a stretch posture for up to sixty seconds.
However, you should avoid stretching to the point where it becomes unpleasant. It is counterintuitive since it causes the muscle to get tighter.
