Stretching is usually considered a deliberate activity for athletes, though on the contrary, it happens in our everyday lives. It is an activity we do to increase the range of motion of our body by loosening, flexing and strengthening the muscles.
Without it, our muscles would stiffen and shorten, which puts the joints and muscles at risk of injury and damage. For example, when tight muscles are suddenly given strenuous activity to do, like in the game of basketball, the tension and pressure may cause them to wear and tear, resulting in injury and minimal or in extreme cases, no activity. Stretching is important in very active and/or busy people as advanced levels of muscle strength and endurance are achieved.
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Stretching everyday should not be a daunting task. Our bodies have muscles all over but one does not need to stretch every single one of them in a moment. Making a daily stretching routine your target will bring so much body and activity improvements than expected.
One may profit from stretching through:
• Elevated flexibility, which can forestall reduced movements that come with aging.
• Increased blood flow to muscles. Stretching helps to open up the constricted blood vessels, subsequently improving blood flow to other parts of the body, including the muscles and ultimately reducing inflammation and soreness.
• Improved physical activities including athletics and exercise.
• Reduced muscular injury especially in very active and athletic individuals by loosening tight muscles.
• Improved posture, as muscle imbalances may be corrected, musculoskeletal pain reduced and proper alignment boosted.
• Preventing and relieving back and muscle pains
• Stress relief
According to an article by the Harvard health publishing in 2019, the areas critical for mobility are in your lower extremities: your calves, your hamstrings, your hip flexors in the pelvis and quadriceps in the front of the thigh. The shoulders, neck, and lower back should also be places of focus when stretching, as they are important for tension release and stress relief.
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