Use these practical exercises daily By Mary Ann Wilson, RN Whether you are fitting exercise into your work schedule at the office, writing monthly bills, or working at your home computer, the following desk exercises will improve your concentration, make you more alert, and relieve tension. Proceed gently with each exercise and listen to your […]
Balance Builder Exercise By Mary Ann Wilson, RN The great news about balance is that you can work to improve it! In this blog we’ll take a look at one of the many exercises that can be done to help strengthen balance skills. Throughout the exercise, imagine you’re are moving in slow motion. The slower […]
Balance Exercises for Somatosensory System By Mary Ann Wilson, RN The somatosensory system refers to the faculty of bodily perception. These sensory systems affect our balance. They include: skin senses (touch) and proprioception (knowing where our body is in space without looking.) As we age this system begins to decline in function. Exercises that stimulate […]
Gait Initiation Exercises By Gretchen Wilson Gait Initiation is the first step in the gait cycle. The initial movement from the standing static posture to the first step forward can be controlled and strengthened through practice exercises. Here are two exercises from the Sit and Be Fit BET manual (Balance Enhancement Training). These are good […]
Gait Training Exercises By Gretchen Wilson Sit and Be Fit’s BET course (Balance Enhancement Training) is designed especially for senior fitness instructors to help students improve balance and gait. Below is a an excerpt taken from the gait training section in the BET manual. Anatomy of Gait Training At each phase in the gait cycle the […]
Gait Drill By Gretchen Wilson The military uses drills because they’re an effective way to train precision of movement and cultivate a habitual response. Try using this gait drill practice in your senior fitness class on a regular basis to help students build awareness of correct gait mechanics. For variety, once students become familiar with the cuing […]
Here’s something every boomer needs to know. Improving your gait needs to start now because it’s a building block for good balance and preventing falls. Why is fall prevention important? Unfortunately, falls are the number one reason older adults lose their independence. None of us want to give up our freedom or have a fall […]
Gait and Balance By Gretchen Wilson Paying attention to our gait as we grow older is important because it plays a crucial role in balance and fall prevention. To understand how gait affects balance let’s look at the physiological changes that affect gait as we age. These changes, which take place as a natural part […]
Gait and Posture Tips for Walking By Gretchen Wilson Experts agree that walking is one of the easiest and healthiest ways to keep your body tuned up. Spending time walking properly will also help improve your balance. Whether you’re walking to get fit or training for a special event, you’ll get more out of your […]
