Kriz Physical Therapy

7 Exercises to Do Before a Long Flight: Prepare Your Body for Travel After 50

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A long flight can be the beginning of an incredible vacation. It can also mean spending five, eight, or even ten hours sitting in a relatively small space — followed by walking through an airport, carrying luggage, navigating stairs, and suddenly asking your body to be active again.

If you’re traveling after 50 or 60, preparing for the flight should involve more than deciding what goes in your carry-on. Your body needs to be ready too.

Long periods of sitting can contribute to stiffness, and extended immobility during long-distance travel can also increase the risk of blood clots in susceptible individuals.1,2

The good news is that you don’t need a complicated workout. A few simple exercises can help you work on the mobility, strength, and movement you’ll use before, during, and after your trip.