Even though we know the benefits of exercise, it can be hard for seniors to participate. Especially if the seniors have mobility problems. In exercising programs, everything starts with stretching your muscles. A recent paper in The Journal of Physiology proved that stretching improves muscles in seniors.
The Power of Stretching
Many people may not realize how stretching can help our bodies. We think it’s simple way to loosen up our bodies. But to those with weak muscles or mobility issues, stretching is the only exercise they can do, and not get any injuries
Stretching Improves Muscles in Seniors
Researchers from Florida State University, Kansas State University, and University of Electro-communications in Tokyo found that regular muscular stretching increased blood flow to muscles of the lower leg. This was done 5 times a week, for a month.
In addition, it was discovered that regular stretching improves the function of arteries in the lower leg. It also increased the number of capillaries within stretched muscles.
To get these results, they placed splints on the lower limbs of aged rats, so the calf muscles were stretched. The splints were on for 30 minutes a day, for 5 days, during a month.
They compared blood flow, arterial function, and the number of capillaries in the muscles of the stretched limb to the other unstretched limb.
What Does This Mean for Seniors?
What this study shows is that even seniors who have problems walking or have muscle pain are able to do exercise that benefits them. It can be a slow, low stress regiment and will still see results. This could even help seniors who have peripheral artery disease, or foot or leg problems related to conditions like diabetes, be able to use stretching to regain ability to walk.
Read more here.