A 12-week program of leg, ankle and foot stretching led to vascular improvements, even in areas not involved in the exercises. By Nicholas Bakalar A program of simple stretching exercises may help ... Balance exercises, such as balancing on one foot, can help prevent and cut the risk of injury from falls too.

Understanding the Context

Before stretching, warm up with 5 to 10 minutes of light activity. It's usually best to stretch after a workout. Keep stretches gentle and slow. Don't bounce.

Key Insights

Breathe through your stretches. If you feel pain, you've stretched too far. Shoulder rolls, hamstring stretches and calf exercises can all improve flexibility and endurance. Stretching is a simple way to prepare your muscles and joints for any workout. But it’s not just for warming up.

Final Thoughts

Stretching is great between exercises and as part of your cool-down routine, too. Research shows a link between flexibility and longevity. Try these 8 simple stretching exercises to improve your mobility and daily health as you age. Muscle spasticity, a common symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS), can make everyday movements feel stiff, tight, and painful. Stretching is one way to help reduce some of that discomfort, improve ...