HealthLinksSC.com | 67 “Research has shown that both men and women lose range of motion as they age,” Durst said. “Our muscles and other tissues become less elastic. But range of motion can be even more diminished in certain circumstances like when someone is dealing with an injury or arthritis. When someone experiences pain, a significant loss of motion may occur, and once a joint moves less, it will adapt to that smaller range of movement.” A sedentary lifestyle has the same affect. When someone is sitting in a chair all day, or not devoting enough time to physical activity, it can also lessen flexibility over time. According to the American Heart Association, flexibility exercise is one of the four types of exercise along with strength, balance and endurance. Ideally, a healthy workout routine would include all four types of exercise. Fortunately, there are loads of activities that involve stretching that can easily be introduced into your routine. You might try yoga, Pilates, dance, gardening, tai chi and other martial arts and even some types of housework. Caroline Nash, registered yoga teacher and owner of Community Yoga in Charleston, knows the stunning effects that yoga can have on a participant’s flexibility as well as their overall physical and mental health.
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