🗞️ New Study!!
The main finding was that having more flexibility between the ages of 46 and 65 lowered the odds of death over the next decade plus.
We’re talking about physical flexibility here (although I would guess that mental flexibility helps too!).
More than 3100 men and women were evaluated with the “Flexindex,” which measures flexibility in multiple joints throughout the body. They were then followed from about 1994 until 2022.
▪️ Men with the least flexibility were nearly twice as likely to die over the follow-up period than men with high flexibility
▪️ Women with the least flexibility were almost 5x more likely to die than those with high flexibility
(PMID 39165228)
These same researchers previously found that the ability to rise from a seated position on the floor and the ability to stand on one leg for 10 seconds are also predictors of longevity.
Want to work on your flexibility?
Check out a yoga class or take a break anytime from sitting to do some gentle stretching!
REFERENCE:
Araújo CGS, de Souza E Silva CG, Kunutsor SK, et al. Reduced Body Flexibility Is Associated With Poor Survival in Middle-Aged Men and Women: A Prospective Cohort Study. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2024;34(8):e14708. [link]
