There’s a common stereotype about aging, one which is reinforced in movies and TV and everywhere else in popular culture, that getting older means our muscles will tighten up and we won’t be able to move like we used to in our youth. But the truth of the matter is that getting older doesn’t necessarily mean that we must resign ourselves to having to deal with decreased mobility and range of motion. We can maintain our bodies as we age, and one of the things we can do to maintain mobility is to adhere to a regular stretching routine.
It is true that as we age, our muscles, tendons, and ligaments will naturally lose some of their elasticity and become more susceptible to injury. Older adults may additionally experience a decline in their sense of balance and their coordination, which can increase the risk of falls and other injuries. Falls and injuries can unfortunately lead to a downward spiral of health conditions for senior citizens, one that can cause serious harm to their quality of life, overall health, and independence.
The good news is that a regular stretching routine can help older adults to both maintain, and improve, their flexibility, range of motion, and balance. This means that the risk of falls and other injuries can be reduced, and overall quality of life and mobility can be improved. Stretching can also reduce stiffness and soreness, helping seniors to live a more pain free life than they otherwise might be experiencing.