MARK MY WORD: IN-CAR EXERCISE: PARENTS ARE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT

It's not enough to just drive your car anymore. Now, there's commuter calisthenics to keep you in shape even if your car isn't.

St. Louis University Health Sciences Center's occupational therapists have concluded that motorists might as well maneuver their bodies inside their cars if they aren't going to make it to the local gym.

The therapists say a few in-car exercises can relieve daily stress.

They say stretching for a few minutes while sitting in traffic can relax the muscles. Are they joking?

These therapists obviously haven't seen the inside of most compact cars, which clearly are designed more to squeeze you in than stretch you out.

Therapists say all neck stretches should be done facing forward, which seems like a good idea when you are driving a car unless you are backing up.

They advise shoulder stretches should be done only when your car is at a complete stop.

At that rate, you might get a few minutes of stretching at most while you are stopped at a traffic light.

Sudden stops in the middle of the road sound like a bad idea to me.

As a parent, I get plenty of exercise in my car and van whenever I haul the kids around.

Moms and dads are constantly making sudden neck movements, and reaching back with one hand to wrestle their kids back into their seats while keeping the other hand on the steering wheel.

Our 7-month-old daughter, Bailey, rides in the back seat, strapped into a car seat like an astronaut ready for a space launch.

This means I have to make sudden twists and turns of my neck to see her. When she cries or fusses, I do a lot of this exercise.

Even when it isn't a crisis, I regularly cast a glance in her direction as I drive down the road.

Generally, both kids are in the car, so that divides my attention even more.

At age 4, going on 16, Becca would drive the car if I would let her.

I've learned to drive and buckle Becca in at the same time without rear-ending anyone.

Parents also do plenty of other exercises, such as picking up stuffed animals and bottles, and cleaning up after spilled drinks on the car floor while motoring down the road.

Sometimes we even manage to catch a falling Teddy Bear, baby bottle or cup of soda before it lands to the ground.

Driving and changing a diaper at the same time may be a challenge, but I wouldn't recommend it even if you are in need of extra stretching.

The St. Louis University therapists suggest motorists engage in hand stretching.

"Make a fist with both hands, then spread your fingers out as far as you can. This can reduce muscle tension from gripping the steering wheel too tight," their press release advises.

Moms and dads know this exercise by heart. But we generally aren't doing this to relieve tension. Rather, we are shaking our fists or otherwise pointing and gesturing at our children to sit still and be quiet.

This may be good exercise, but it doesn't relieve the tension.

Personally, I get enough exercise twisting, turning, stretching and gesturing while I am hauling the kids around.

Every now and then, it is nice to drive solo and skip the stretching. There's only so much exercise parents can take.

~Mark Bliss is a staff writer for the Southeast Missourian.