Stretching exercises are not only good for your muscles, but also have another beneficial effect on your health!
People who suffer from hypertension or high blood pressure are often advised to go for a walk, but new research published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health shows that stretching exercises are more effective.
“Everyone thinks that stretching is only good for your muscles,” says Professor Phl Chilibeck, one of the researchers. “But when you stretch your muscles, you also stretch the blood vessels that feed your muscles, including your arteries.”
According to the professor, stretching exercises can reduce stiffness in your arteries, improving your blood supply because your arteries become less narrow. This can lower your blood pressure.
For the study, two groups with high blood pressure were compared. One group went for a walk every day, the other group stretched every day. It turned out that the group that stretched every day ultimately had lower blood pressure than the walking group. Blood pressure had also fallen there, but less than in the stretch group. However, the size of the abdomen in the walking group was less than in the stretch group.
This suggests that both activities have a positive impact on overall health.
Chilibeck:“I don't want people to think because of our research that you shouldn't do aerobic-type activity. Things like walking, cycling, skiing… they all have a positive effect on your fat and cholesterol levels and your blood sugar.”
Image:GettyImages, Source:Mindbodygreen.com
