A 3 Part Series: Nothing to Sweat! - Part 3

Component 3: Flexibility Exercise

Flexibility, as it applies to physical fitness, is defined as the ability to use a part of the body through its full range of motion. This does not mean that we need to be as limber as a contortionist, however. It simply means that we need to keep our muscles and joints mobile enough to avoid discomforts that especially for those of us with jobs that have us sitting all day — can leave us feeling about as limber as the Tin Man.

Muscles and connective tissue (ligaments and tendons) tend to shorten and tighten with age even in the habitually active, so you can imagine the liabilities for those of us who are deskbound. Chronic back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, headaches, bad posture, undue fatigue, and heightened vulnerability to stress all can result from muscles and joints simply too upright for their own good.

Fortunately, many of the exercises and activities l recommend for building cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength can help keep you loose, but lt’s also important to have an arsenal of stretches for particular problems caused by sedentary endeavors - that why-do-I-suddenly-feel-like-l’m-made-of-concrete sensation that comes over you after one too many hours glued to a computer screen. Or that feeling of not being able to touch your knees much less your toes after two hours spent in the bleachers watching Susie’s extra-inning softball game.

Most importantly, Staying flexible helps to prevent back-neck, and shoulder pain, aw well as headaches and fatigue.