KARACHI, Feb11: More often than not, after a good workout, many people walk straight. Some find stretching boring, others just can't visualise themselves as contortionists. Fact is that all non-stretchers are losing out. Correct stretching can be as good for you as the best massage.

When you exercise, your muscles contract and relax, contract and relax. The repeated contraction can lead to shortening of the muscles. Muscles also tend to shorten as you get older.

Stretching will prevent shortening of the muscles, help you to avoid injury, improve your muscles' range of motion, make you stand taller, improve your balance and reduce your risk of falls. Most of all, it will prevent muscle ache.

Take action: Stretching after your exercise routine is the most important step. Stretching should always form part of your cooling-down routine. It may form part of your warm-up programme, but you should only stretch your muscles after at least 10 minutes of warming up, and only if your warm-up programme consists of pulse-raising exercises.

Concentrate on stretching the muscles you use most often and the joints that are least flexible. But don't forget the other muscles and joints.

Most joggers, for example, suffer from stiff hamstrings, and should never neglect their hamstring stretches.—PPI