Key points from article :
A recent study led by Dr. Claudio Gil S. Araújo from the Exercise Medicine Clinic (CLINIMEX) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, explored the potential link between flexibility and longevity. Published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, the research examined data from approximately 3,000 middle-aged participants over nearly three decades to determine if flexibility could influence lifespan.
The study found that individuals with greater flexibility tended to live longer than those with lower flexibility. The research utilized a "Flexitest" to assess flexibility in 20 different body joint movements, leading to a "Flexindex" score that was strongly correlated with improved survival rates. Interestingly, women generally scored higher on the Flexindex than men, and both genders with higher scores were associated with lower mortality rates.
These findings highlight the importance of incorporating flexibility exercises into daily routines, especially as we age. While the study suggests a promising link between flexibility and longevity, experts agree that more research is needed to confirm these results and fully understand the impact of flexibility on long-term health.
