Ski Training Tips:The Latest Ski Machine

November 21st, 2008 Shaka

Balance Tips >> Ski Training Tips

Ski Training Tips:The Latest Ski Machine
You can use the Skii Trikke to help improve balance and coordination, but you will probably use it just for fun. Take it to the slopes. It is an adaptation for use on snow of the Trikke, with the same 3-point cambering system proven on the streets. You stand on the platform, steer with the handlebars, and shift your weight to carve those turns.

Related:

Posted in Health | No Comments »

Senior Exercises Tips:Exercise can help prevent bone loss, even in people already suffering from osteoporosis

November 21st, 2008 Shaka

Balance Tips >> Senior Exercise Tips

Senior Exercises Tips:Exercise can help prevent bone loss, even in people already suffering from osteoporosis.
A sedentary lifestyle encourages the loss of bone mass and, for many years, doctors and scientists have been teaching younger people that they could prevent bone loss through a calcium-rich diet and regular activity, including weight-bearing exercise. While this was great information for people who did not have osteoporosis already, it did not provide individuals suffering from severe bone loss with any way to help strengthen their musculoskeletal systems, prevent falls, or ensure faster recovery. The good news is that more recent research suggests that people with existing osteoporosis can also benefit from exercise because exercising regularly not only reduces the rate of bone loss, it also conserves remaining bone tissue, reducing the risk of fractures. It can also help build the muscles surrounding your bones, increase flexibility in the joints, and generally enhance the ability of your muscles, tendons and joints to support and protect the bones.

Related:

Posted in Health | No Comments »

Senior Exercises Tips:Aging often brings a decline in balance and more fragile bones, leading to potentially debilitating or even fatal falls

November 21st, 2008 Shaka

Balance Tips >> Senior Exercise Tips

Senior Exercises Tips:Aging often brings a decline in balance and more fragile bones, leading to potentially debilitating or even fatal falls.
Osteoporosis is characterized by the loss of calcium and bone tissue in the bones, which makes them susceptible to fracturing (breaking). If not prevented or if left untreated, osteoporosis can progress painlessly until a bone breaks. Fractures typically occur in the hip, spine and wrist, though any bone can be affected. Hip and spinal fractures are of special concern; hip fractures almost always require hospitalization and major surgery, and can permanently limit a person’s ability to walk unassisted. Unfortunately, a simple fall that results in a fractured hip all too often causes prolonged or permanent disability, and even death. Spinal or vertebral fractures also have serious consequences, including loss of height, severe back pain and deformity that can further limit mobility, independence and a person’s ability to perform daily activities as well as the activities that could limit further risk. While women are four times more likely than men to develop the disease, men also suffer from osteoporosis. While bone loss is affected by diet and hormonal balance, a sedentary lifestyle, poor posture, poor balance and weak muscles increase the risk of falls and fractures.

Related:

Posted in Health | No Comments »

Senior Exercises Tips:Exercises that people with severe osteoporosis should generally avoid

November 21st, 2008 Shaka

Balance Tips >> Senior Exercise Tips

Senior Exercises Tips:Exercises that people with severe osteoporosis should generally avoid
.
Because people with osteoporosis have bones prone to fracturing, they should avoid high-impact activities, and activities in which sudden motions and potential falls are likely. Such activities include high-impact aerobics, exercise requiring sudden jolts, stops and starts – such as tennis or squash – or activities, exercises that require a twisting motion, such as a golf swing, and any other activity that requires forceful movements. Because golf, tennis, running and other activities included in this list are enjoyable ways for seniors to stay fit, definitely consult with a health-care professional about whether you should be participating in such activities, and how often and at what intensity.

Related:

Posted in Health | No Comments »

Senior Exercises Tips:Consult a professional and choose an exercise program that suits your needs and goals

November 20th, 2008 Shaka

Balance Tips >> Senior Exercise Tips

Senior Exercises Tips:Consult a professional and choose an exercise program that suits your needs and goals.
Always consult with your doctor, physical therapist or other health care professional before you decide on an elderly exercise program. Factors that need to be considered include your age, the severity of your osteoporosis, other medical conditions from which you might suffer, the medications you take, your initial fitness level, and your health and fitness goals. Generally, functional training that focuses on developing your balance and whole-body stability will be a good foundation upon which you can layer other cardiovascular activities or strength training exercises to achieve your specific set of goals.

Related:

Posted in Health | 1 Comment »

Senior Exercises Tips:To further reduce the risk of falls, make your living areas safer

November 20th, 2008 Shaka

Balance Tips >> Senior Exercise Tips

Senior Exercises Tips:To further reduce the risk of falls, make your living areas safer
.
Many seniors spend much of their time at home, and one-half to two-thirds of all falls occur in or around the home. Most fall injuries are caused by falls on the same level, rather than falls down the stairs. To make living areas safer, seniors should remove tripping hazards, such as throw rugs and clutter in walkways and install non-slip mats in the bathtub and on shower floors. Installing grab bars next to the toilet and in the tub or shower and having handrails put in on both sides of stairways will also give seniors a way to break their fall should they trip or slip. Finally, improving improve lighting throughout the home can help.

Related:

Posted in Health | 1 Comment »

Senior Exercises Tips: Exercise and functional training can help reduce the risk of serious injury and fracture in case of a fall

November 20th, 2008 Shaka

Balance Tips >> Senior Exercise Tips

Senior Exercises Tips: Exercise and functional training can help reduce the risk of serious injury and fracture in case of a fall.
In general, healthy people as old as 90 can reduce their tendency to fall by up to 50 percent through exercise and balance training. While bone fragility presents one challenge for older individuals, the corollary component of that risk is that most fractures occur due to a fall. A lack of strength and balance makes it more likely that an older person will fall and break a bone or injure a joint. It is possible for seniors to improve their muscle strength and balance to help prevent falls. Integrating balance training and functional training, developing core strength, and generally remaining active can help improve muscle strength, develop reaction time and increase mobility, and provide a better sense of balance and coordination. These benefits are also a foundation for increased physical activity, which can reduce bone loss by conserving remaining bone tissue, enhance general fitness, and reduce pain and risk of injury.

Related:

Posted in Health | 1 Comment »

Senior Exercises Tips:Stroke patients have special challenges, and balance training can be an important part of rehabilitation

November 20th, 2008 Shaka

Balance Tips >> Senior Exercise Tips

Senior Exercises Tips:Stroke patients have special challenges, and balance training can be an important part of rehabilitation.
People who have suffered a stroke often are coping with limited mobility, balance challenges, and having to re-learn everyday movements. According to research from Concordia University in Montreal, performing balance exercises under different sensory conditions can help improve postural stability in post-stroke patients. Because people rely on vision, limb sensations and the inner ear to maintain standing balance, it is possible to create different balance challenges by altering the inputs to one of those senses. Due to the physical implications of stroke, patients often rely heavily on their vision to maintain balance. Having these patients perform balance exercises in the dark, or with eyes closed, or using a moving focal point, can help engage the limbs and inner ear and enhance the effectiveness of rehabilitative balance training.

Related:

Posted in Health | No Comments »

Senior Exercises Tips:Remember that you will reap the most benefits from exercise done in moderation

November 20th, 2008 Shaka

Balance Tips >> Senior Exercise Tips

Senior Exercises Tips:Remember that you will reap the most benefits from exercise done in moderation.
Moderate, regular exercise is an essential part of any osteoporosis treatment program. However, any program should be undertaken with your doctor or physical therapist’s advice and guidance, and should be begun slowly. Overly vigorous exercise could actually counteract your goals and may reduce the risk of injury. Incorporate balance and functional training into your existing cardiovascular and strength regimen; don’t just increase the amount of work you do – change the mix. Remember, you can do more harm than good by doing strength exercises too often. Don’t exercise the same set of muscles 2 days in a row.

Related:

Posted in Health | 6 Comments »

Senior Exercises Tips:Senior Balance Exercise 1: Walk Heel-to-Toe

November 20th, 2008 Shaka

Balance Tips >> Senior Exercise Tips

Senior Exercises Tips:Senior Balance Exercise 1: Walk Heel-to-Toe
You might recall this movement from balance beam work in grade school, or just as a childish pastime in which you tried to walk along a crack in the sidewalk. Just position the heel of one foot directly in front of the toes of your opposite foot. Alternate each time you take a step. You may need or want to use your arms to help balance you.

Related:

Posted in Health | No Comments »