Stretching simply means extending the body or part of the
body to its full capacity. It involves straightening or
flexing the body or the limbs. The body is actually a
flexible structure and has to be to function properly, at
least on a physical level. You should not have too much
difficulty to be able to bend to pick up something, or reach
for something. These are simple everyday activities, yet
most of us find them to be, shall we say, a 'stretch'.


Muscle and joint movement become more restricted as we age.
Muscles tighten and our range of movement becomes smaller.
As a result bending or stretching becomes more difficult,
and affects a more active lifestyle. Even when not so old,
these simple activities can be difficult because we don't
move enough. That is why exercise or stretching must be part
of a regular or daily routine.

Stretching can be an exercise program on its own, where it
can be included in your everyday activities like walking.
However, it is more commonly used as a warm up to more
strenuous physical activity. Notice that there's not one
professional sports person or team that does not stretch
before a big game or match. This is to warm the body up and
prepare it for the more rigorous activity to come. The body
is more prone to injury when cold. Stretching prevents this
from happening.

As far as time goes, there really is no excuse. As a warm up
the maximum time to stretch is about 10 minutes. As the main
exercise, about 20 to 30 minutes. Also you need nothing, no
equipment, just your body.

So, lets recap on the benefits of stretching :

1.Improves the range of movement. Stretching lengthens the
muscles and tendons, increasing your range of movement.
You'll be able to jump higher, or stretch further, with
less pain.

2.Improves ability to perform skills. More flexibility
allows you to enjoy a more active lifestyle. If in sport, it
give you more of an edge because it allows you to move
faster, and in professional sport every second counts. It
makes your reflexes that much sharper.

3.Prevents Injury. As I said, cold muscles are prone to
injury, hence a 10 minute warm up is essential before any
physical activity. It also lessens the stiffness, or
soreness one feels after exercise.

4.Increases energy. Knowing you have a body capable of
moving, twisting and turning with more ease and less pain
will drive you to move rather than sit and do nothing.
Psychologically, it will increase your awareness and
confidence.

5.Lowers cholesterol. Tests have proven that doing
stretching for any length of time, such as yoga for example,
can lower cholesterol levels, but only in conjunction with a
varied diet.

You should include stretching in your everyday lifestyle.
You don't need equipment, or a gym, and it uses minimal
time. The benefits you will derive from stretching cannot be
underestimated, and is crucial to your health today and to
your fitness in the future.

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