When you make stretching a part of your daily routine, you do more than just loosen up your muscles and limbs. According to a new study from the University of Milan, just 12 weeks of passive stretching can help the vascular system and improve blood flow.
What is passive stretching?
Passive stretching is a stretch where an external force provides the stretch. This can be through a stretching partner, stretching accessories, or gravity. When you do this consistently, researchers found that it increases blood flow in the arteries and decreases artery stiffness, thus improving heart health.
Blood flow allows oxygenated blood to travel through the vascular system to tissues throughout the body. Without good blood flow, organs throughout the body are at risk.
Passive stretching isn’t the only way to boost blood flow and reduce stiffness in the arteries. Aerobic exercise, weight loss, and treating high blood pressure have all been found to be effective.
Source study: The Journal of Physiology – Evidence for improved systemic and local vascular function after long-term passive static stretching training of the musculoskeletal system
