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How to Stay Flexible at Any Age
Strength, balance and flexibility are interrelated — take these steps to become more flexible
April 14, 2023 (originally published on NextAvenue.org)
“By age 70, about 25 to 30% of overall flexibility is lost,” says Jennifer Tripken, associate director for the Center of Healthy Aging at the National Council on Aging (NCOA). The result? Loss of flexibility can cause pain, loss of muscle strength and balance issues.
Having good flexibility can help increase your balance and muscle strength, which will increase your ability to engage in regular activities, reduce pain and decrease your risk of falls and other injuries. | Credit: Getty
Flexibility, endurance, strength and balance are all types of fitness. “Having good flexibility can help increase your balance and muscle strength,” Tripken says, “which will increase your ability to engage in the activities of daily living, reduce pain and decrease your risk of falls and other injuries.”
A loss of flexibility is often due to decreased physical activity, so keeping your body moving is essential.
Why Flexibility Matters
If you aren’t that flexible, your everyday life and independence can become compromised. “A loss of flexibility can…
