Elasticity of the fascia
Remember "the use it or lose it" concept? Well, it applies to fascia too if we don’t move enough.
When our bodies are inactive for a long time - fascia becomes dense and matted.
And we don't need to be in a cast for this to happen, because our connective tissue cells produce more collagen when ageing and the clearing of the old fibres becomes less efficient.
Add increasing levels of inflammation (as oestrogen goes down during menopause), sedentary lifestyle or the same type of exercise every week, and we end up with matted fascia.When the fascial tissue matts up and sticks together, it restricts our muscle function, because they are no longer able to slide past each other properly.
What can we do? Studies show, that even among elderly people muscle mass can be rebuilt, and fascia can be rebuilt too!
It takes time, but studies suggest that after three months of regular training (which should be done every 48 hours), fascia has more recoil and crimp. Even a few 10-second sets of skips, hops or jumps a few times a week can benefit our tissue.
I really like skipping and until I went boxing hadn’t skipped since I was a child. Then I was all about the ‘double dutch’. I probably did it every day for year. But when I started at the boxing gym I found it surprisingly hard to start again.
Skipping might look simple, but it involves coordination, good nerve function and motor skills, so there is more to a skip than one might first meet the eye.
When challenged to skip as older adults, some people can whip out a perfect skip - while others struggle. Some people have forgotten completely.
Losing the ability to skip seems to be a common occurrence as people get older, but why?
There are many reasons - decreasing muscle mass, joint problems and lack of practice, to name just a few.
But fascia researchers have found out the main reason is that the elastic properties of fascia (its ability to bounce back) degenerates with age if we don’t move enough!
Studies show, that even among elderly people muscle mass can be rebuilt, and fascia can be rebuilt too!
Even a few sets of a few seconds of skipping, hopping or jumping can greatly benefit the fascial tissue.
Who can’t fit a few of those in a day? Totally doable, people!