A daily leg stretch slashes heart attack risk

Leg stretches offer a host of benefits beyond flexibility, according to an animal study designed to replicate the effects of stretching in humans. The researchers, reporting in The Journal of

Physiology, found that stretching leg muscles for 30 minutes five days a week increases blood flow to the legs by 36%, plus strengthens blood vessels—benefits that are linked to reduced heart attack and stroke risk. Search “leg stretches” on YouTube to try routines; we like “Lower Body Stretching for Flexibility” by FitnessBlender.