Senior Balance Exercises And Temporal/Spatial Factors Of Walking

Senior Balance Exercises Effect Components Of Walking

By Suzanne Stoke, Physical Therapist @ Exercise For Balance via www.exerciseforbalance.com/

Senior balance exercises can have a positive influence on the speed and length aspects of a person's gait pattern. Please see  http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/buy-now Medical professionals have taken a keen interest in determining the components of walking and how aging affects those factors. Most health care professionals understand that as we age our walking status declines and leads to poor balance and falling. To better understand the components of gait for older adults and how to improve balance skills to avoid falling, medical researchers have looked at the specific aspects of gait and how senior balance exercises can enhance them. Melissa E. Chamberlin; Brandy D. Fulwider; Sheryl L. Sanders and John M. Medeiros published a study in Journals of Gerontology entitled, Does Fear of Falling Influence Spatial and Temporal Gait Parameters in Elderly Persons Beyond Changes Associated With Normal Aging? In their preparation for the study, the researchers found that there is limited research on fear of falling and its effect on gait parameters. Studies have shown a relationship between fear of falling and restriction of activities. They determined that the purpose of their study was to determine if a fear of falling in elderly persons was associated with changes in spatial and temporal gait parameters, independent of a history of falls. They hypothesized that, in elderly persons, gait changes would be associated with a preexisting fear of falling. Their study involved Ninety-five community-dwelling adults, aged 60-97 years (mean age = 74, standard deviation = 8.5). Participant scores on the Modified Falls Efficacy Scale determined an individual's placement into the "fearful" or "fearless" category. Spatial and temporal gait parameters of speed, stride length, step width, and double limb support time were assessed using the GAITRite system, a computerized electronic walkway. The researchers results showed that the fearful group had a significantly slower gait speed (p <.05) and shorter stride length (p <.05) when compared to the fearless group. Stride width was significantly longer (p =.05) and double limb support time was significantly prolonged (p <.05) in the fearful participants when measured against the fearless participants. The study revealed that there is support for the hypothesis that fear of falling does influence spatial and temporal gait parameter changes in elderly persons. Slower gait speed, shorter stride length, increased stride width, and prolonged double limb support time were found to be associated with a preexisting fear of falling. The good news is that practicing stability exercises helps to enhance steadiness and limit the risk and incidence of falling for older adults.

Senior Balance Exercises Help With walking

Senior balance exercises performed every day can make a significant difference in an older person's ability to walk in ways that improve balance and reduce falls. By practicing stability exercises, an aging individual can learn how to center their body weight over their feet, which translates to having a more normal and narrow width of steps during walking. Additionally, completing equilibrium exercises consistently builds stronger and faster balance reactions at the feet and ankles, which enables the person to compensate for challenging balance situations or varied terrain during gait. One specific balance routine that develops appropriate balance skills is standing with one foot directly behind the other. By practicing that tandem stance stability exercise, the person will be able to take steps while walking that have a greater and more normal stride length. Overall, practicing senior balance exercises advance steadiness in every walking and standing situation, thereby boosting confidence and diminishing the chance of falling. You can practice specific balance techniques and senior balance exercises in the convenience of your own home with the Exercise For Balance DVD.

Senior Balance Exercises In The Exercise For Balance DVD

    To enhance stability with walking, begin the best balance exercises, get the Exercise For Balance DVD. The Balance DVD is easy for you to use at home or in a group setting. The professionally filmed DVD contains all the top notch  balance and strength exercises needed to enhance senior fitness and to perform basic activities like walking, standing, stair climbing or to advance to high level activities like dancing and hiking. In the Exercise For Balance DVD, you will learn how to improve balance, balance techniques and balance routines from a balance trainer (licensed Physical Therapist) who has worked with balance and dizziness disorders for over 20 years. Get your copy of the Exercise For Balance DVD by clicking on the BUY NOW button

Feel more confident with walking by starting balance exercises today with the Exercise For Balance DVD to improve balance and prevent falls.
For more information see http://www.mayoclinic.com/health-information/