However, basic flexibility is essential as stiffening up can make you more unsteady on your feet and more at risk of falling.

You can improve flexibility by incorporating regular stretches into your weekly routine, but climbing stairs, carrying heavy shopping and reaching for an object on a high shelf will all help.  

Focus on exercises that lengthen and strengthen muscles at the same time combined with moving joints through the entire range of motion.  The most important part of the exercise is the eccentric phase which is where you are lengthening the muscles.  For example, when you slowly lower your shopping bags to the floor.

Studies are also currently being done on whether keeping your muscles supple can help to improve your immune system.  

If you find that you're struggling to tie your shoelaces or get up from a chair without support then a programme of aerobics combined with stretching will be beneficial to you.  But, don't worry if you can't do the splits!