CAN you touch your toes or do you find your fingers reach only as far as your knees? Flexibility declines sharply with age and the natural suppleness of youth will quickly disappear if efforts aren\u2019t made to preserve it. The effects can be profound \u2014 as we move less freely, the risk of injury rises and our posture deteriorates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A 2013 study from the University of Western Ontario showed that the average drop in the flexibility of hip and shoulder joints to be about six degrees each decade from a person\u2019s mid-50 onwards. And the outcome can be limiting \u2014 the less flexible we are, the worse our posture and the more inhibited our movement patterns. Breathing, digestion and stress levels can all worsen when we become stiff and inflexible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Suzanne Wylde, the author of Moving Stretch (Lotus) says the longer you ignore it, the worse things get. \u201cWhen we are tight it puts more wear and tear on our joints,\u201d says Wylde. \u201cAnd declining flexibility is compounded by inactivity because as we move less, we develop more tightness and restriction \u2014 causing more aches and pains.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n