It’s true that as you age you may become that fraction slower or recovery from exercise may take that little bit longer, but all too often we hear ‘I’m too old’ as the excuse to justify a completely inactive lifestyle.
When it comes to mobility it is a primary case of ‘use it’ or ‘lose it’. The longer you spend inactive at a desk, in front of the television or computer, the stiffer and less mobile you will become, until the day where getting out of a chair is a struggle and climbing the stairs or walking to the kitchen feels like a workout!
Physiologically our bodies are constantly laying down new connective tissue fibres, these fibres adapt in different ways to the stresses placed on the body. In active people, the fibres start to align within the tissues that are stressed during their activity and consequently mobilise and break down the fibres where they are not needed. This keeps the layers of muscle, tendon and fascia supple, maintaining the person’s general mobility.
In the inactive population, these fibres will not be mobilised adequately or regularly enough. New fibres are then layered on top of old fibres resulting in this tissue become more dense and less mobile. If this process is left to continue, mobility will slowly deteriorate leading to postural changes and movement limitations.
Follow the video link for a great example of connective tissue restriction by Gill Hedley.
There is a simple solution to this problem…stay more active!
Simple things such as taking the stairs instead of the lift, being aware of your sitting and standing posture and taking a couple of minutes each hour at work to move and mobilise your back and shoulders will help. Even better, classes such as pilates, yoga or BeamFit will work on mobility as well as muscle toning and control.
Don’t wait for these restrictions to limit your movement and wellbeing. Contact us now to see how Drummond Clinic can help you to stay active and problem free.