You know the feeling – you’re exercising and running after grandchildren, but you just don’t seem as flexible as you did when you were younger.
Now Andrew Lavender, a School of Physiotherapy and Exercise Science lecturer at Curtin University, has provided the answer to The Conversation as part of their ‘I’ve Always Wondered series’.
We all know as we age, our bones, joints and muscles tend to become weak.
Dr Lavender says many older people have ageing-associated conditions that can contribute to muscle stiffness such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and muscle weakness due to sarcopenia (the natural loss of muscle mass and strength).
Blood flow is also a factor. As we age, our arteries become stiffer and less flexible, meaning blood can easily pool, particularly in the feet.
Move it or lose it
Normal ageing wears down our joint cartilage too, particularly in the knee. Without this cushioning, we can feel stiffer as we move.
Changes in ligaments, tendons and muscles also play a part, losing flexibility with age and disuse.
The fact is we tend to be less active as we get older. Dr Lavender says while that’s understandable, cutting down or stopping exercise can speed up these changes.
“Muscles need to be stimulated by physical activity in order to maintain strength and mass,” he says.
“Bones also need stimulation through loading to keep their density. Joints too need stimulation from movement to keep that feeling of stiffness to a minimum.”
The lesson? Move more, he says, either through joining a gym or sports club, meeting a friend for exercise such as a run, swim or walk, and resistance training.
It can’t hurt.
