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ACROSS THE TRADES Winter 2022
W
hether you’re a running fanatic, surfing aficionado
or weekend golfer, maintaining a high level of
mobility is essential to enjoying these activities.
Stretching for injury prevention is a contentious topic,
as there is no clear evidence about injury prevention from
stretching. However, what is clear are the longstanding
positive impacts stretching can have on pain, mobility, mental
health and range of motion.
Research demonstrates that stretching is extremely
beneficial for all people irrespective of occupation, age,
lifestyle or health status. As we grow up, we’re often reminded
of optimising calcium intake to support a healthy skeletal
system, however over time we can forget the various other
structures including muscles, tendons and ligaments that
require our care. Maintaining our muscular system through
stretching can be impactful in many ways, from improved
range of motion, assisting with chronic pain management and
improving quality of life.
For those who work in offices frequently sitting at a desk
for prolonged periods, or like many of us during the COVID-19
pandemic have found ourselves working from home, it’s
important that time is taken for personal wellbeing and long-
term health.
Reassuringly, for those time-strapped individuals
balancing work, family life and other commitments, evidence
demonstrates that fatigue and physical discomfort can be
significantly improved with as little as ten minutes of exercise
and stretching a day. Keeping up with mobility exercises
and stretching can help protect and improve flexion range of
motion. This improved level of flexibility and agility developed
through regular stretching ensures involvement in physical
movement activities can be maintained without being
hampered by injury.
It’s well documented that physical exercise and
movement helps mitigate the risk of cardiovascular disease,
hypertension, strokes and other metabolic disorders.
Physiologically exercise helps the body with blood sugar
regulation and improves insulin sensitivity which can help
with Type 2 diabetes management, glycaemic control and
prevention for those at risk of developing this illness.
WHY STRETCHING
SHOULD BE A PART OF YOUR
DAILY ROUTINE
NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO, STRETCHING SHOULD BE A PRIORITY.
DR. FARHAN SHAHZAD
WRITES ABOUT THE
MULTITUDE OF BENEFITS, ESPECIALLY FOR THE TRADE INDUSTRY.
HEALTH