Improve Toe Strength and Mobility By Sit and Be Fit TV Host Mary Ann Wilson, RN The importance of toe power, also known as toe strength and mobility, and the role it plays in our gait is often overlooked. This area of training merits special attention as we work on improving balance and decreasing fall risk. […]
By Mary Ann Wilson, RN Eye exercises are an important part of any fall prevention training program. We depend on our ocular system (vision) for balance and for keeping us safe in different environments. In addition to improving neck range of motion, the 3 exercises shared in this blog are designed to strengthen the eyes and improve the vestibular […]
By Mary Ann Wilson, RN If I were to tell you there was a more efficient way to work the abdominal muscles than sit ups and crunches, would you be surprised? Researcher, Dr. Stuart McGill believes that crunches, the typically prescribed exercise for strengthening the abdominal muscles, is actually harmful to the spine. If you […]
TIPS TO HELP AVOID PITFALLS OF POLYPHARMACY By Sit and Be Fit TV host Mary Ann Wilson, RN Polypharmacy is a relatively new term used to describe the effects of taking many different medications concurrently to manage different conditions. The use of multiple medications is a growing problem, especially for older adults. Over-the-counter drugs such […]
IMPROVE WALKING POWER ONE STEP AT A TIME By Sit and Be Fit TV Host Mary Ann Wilson, RN Taking just one step involves coordination of many different body parts. We rarely think about all the connections that have to be in place to make moving forward possible. However, if you have ever had an […]
Here’s an easy exercise you can do regularly to help strengthen and tone the abdominal muscles. Begin by sitting all the way back in a chair for full back support. If you’re unable to sit all the way back without keeping your feet flat on the floor place a firm pillow or something behind for that necessary back […]
Hamstring strength is important for good balance. The hamstrings are made up of 3 separate muscles: the biceps femoris, semitendinosus and semimembranosus. Here’s an easy way to work this muscle group from a seated position with a resistance band. Before you begin, tie the ends of an exercise band together in a knot to create a circle. It’s […]
By Mary Ann Wilson, RN Most of us depend heavily on our vision to tell us about our environment – knowing the height of the curb, obstacles to avoid, when we are approaching uneven surfaces, etc. This information gathered and processed through our ocular motor (visual) system keeps us safe and plays an important role in correcting balance challenges and avoiding […]
Leg Strength and Aging By Mary Ann Wilson, RN One of the most common changes associated with the aging process is a reduction in muscle mass. The loss of mass is greater in the lower extremities than in the upper extremity muscle groups. There is as much as a 30% decline in muscle strength between the ages of […]
