Study: Physical flexibility can reduce the risk of premature death | Health

Flexibility could be the key to better health and happiness – a recent study says working on body flexibility can improve quality of life and reduce the risk of premature death. Flexibility is useful at any age – be it our teenage years or adulthood. Body flexibility and working on it helps unlock greater potential for better health.

The research was led by Dr. Claudio Gil S. Araújo of the Sports Medicine Clinic. The study was conducted on 3,139 middle-aged adults (2,087 men and 1,052 women) between the ages of 46 and 65. The researchers used a comprehensive flexibility assessment tool called the Flexitest, which they used to examine 20 different joint movements in seven major joints of the body. Typically, studies examining physical health also consider cardiovascular fitness and strength, but this study focused exclusively on body flexibility.

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Which joint movements were examined?

The research examined joint movements, including those of the ankles, knees, hips, trunk, wrists, elbows and shoulders. The research followed participants over a period of 13 years to understand their health outcomes and survival rates.

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Other factors:

Factors such as age, body mass index (BMI) and general health were also taken into account in the study. However, the research result suggested that people with greater body flexibility have a lower risk of premature death.

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Flexibility and mortality rate: The connection

The study found that among men, people with the 10 percent flexibility were the least flexible and had a death rate of 21.2 percent, while people with the 10 percent flexibility were the most flexible and had a death rate of 7.8 percent. Among women, people with the lowest level of flexibility were found to have a death rate of 15.4 percent, while people with the higher level of flexibility were found to have a death rate of only 2 percent. The study also suggested that women are more flexible than men.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should always seek the advice of your healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.