Stretching Fitness

Stretching exercises encourage lengthening of your muscles and their associated tendons. They counteract the shortening and tightening of muscles that can occur immediately after vigorous exercise, and as a product of ageing and inactivity. Regular stretching, even for just five to ten minutes a day, can be very beneficial on your body and your health. Here are 5 of the benefits: Stretching for optimum health

A sedentary lifestyle that involves long periods of sitting or driving can cause your muscles to shorten and tighten. Stretching regularly can reduce your range of motion and can lead to stiffness and pain. Find out more on why to stretch and when to stretch here: Stretching: An illustrated guide

There have been recent advances in our understanding of how stretching and flexibility work. Traditionally we would think of our muscles like a rubber band that could be loosened or stretched with mechanical stretching. We now know that the nervous system controls our flexibility much more than we thought, read more here: The Stretching Debate: What does the evidence say?

Other helpful resources:

Warming up and cooling down for exercise
Stretching comes into its own as fitness exercise and body toner