Muscle stretching, small movements, great benefits for the cardiovascular system
A study published in Physiological Reports shows that stretching the back and shoulders not only helps the body become flexible but can also help lower blood pressure immediately without increasing the heart rate. The study was conducted at the University of Minnesota Medical Center (USA) on 24 healthy adults.
Extgging is something many people do naturally every morning. Our research helps explain why this movement makes most people feel comfortable and healthy, says Dr. David Benditt, professor of medicine at the University of Minnesota.
According to Dr. Aubrey J. Grant, sports cardiologist at MedStar Health, muscle relaxants activate muscle receptors, sending signals to the nervous system to help relax blood vessels, soothe the body and lower blood pressure. Measles stretching is not a substitute for medicine, but it is a useful tool to help control blood pressure and reduce stress, he said.
Regular stretching, the foundation of a healthy cardiovascular lifestyle
Many previous studies have also shown that people who maintain the habit of stretching or practicing yoga regularly have lower arteriosclerosis and more stable blood pressure. A 2020 study showed that a 12-week stretching program significantly improves blood pressure, even more effective than walking in some groups of people.
Dr. Sean P. Heffron, Director of NYU Langone Heart Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Center (USA), emphasized: Miss stretching exercises, yoga or pilates all help improve overall cardiovascular health. However, the direct impact of stretching on blood pressure is only temporary, requiring combination with other forms of exercise such as aerobics or brisk walking".
Dr. Melissa Tracy, a preventive cardiologist at rush University, recommends that each person should spend about 30 minutes a day on whole-body stretching, especially before exercising. Regular muscle stretching, combined with a healthy diet and adequate sleep are the foundation of a healthy heart, she says.
