Prolonged sitting and lack of exercise may cause poor blood circulation, which can lead to chronic diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes that harm overall health. Experts in sports physiology and diabetes from Japan have jointly found that simple “circulatory system stretching exercises” done daily can effectively improve blood circulation and have a positive effect on blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and metabolic health.
Shuichi James Nakano, a sports physiologist, strength and conditioning trainer certified by the American College of Sports Medicine, and Shogo Tabata, a diabetes specialist, coauthored the book “10-Minute Stretch Exercises: Reshaping Healthy Posture, Creating a Comfortable Life.” They noted in their book that after three months of circulatory system stretching exercises, patients saw significant improvement in blood circulation, which helped regulate blood sugar fluctuations, lower blood pressure, and slow arteriosclerosis.
Key Points of Stretching Exercise Design
Nakano said this set of exercises can not only promote metabolism and reduce body fat but also help increase bone density. There are three key areas in its design:- Activate the less-worked parts: The movements primarily target areas that are less engaged in daily life and prone to stiffness and soreness, such as the shoulder blades, spine, and hip joints.
- Stimulate areas with dense blood vessels: The exercises move the core parts of the body, which have a higher blood vessel density and help promote blood circulation throughout the body.
- Repeat simple movements: Through simple, repeated movements, blood flow and metabolic efficiency can be quickly improved.
