Friday, September 30, 2011

Exercises For Balance and the Human Balance System

How Exercises For Balance Sharpen The Human Balance System

The human balance system is very complex and it involves multiple inputs, layers of processing and sophisticated output to the muscles of the body. The brain takes in three main sets of information to help with balance from the eyes, the inner ear system called the vestibular system and proprioceptive information from the muscles, joints and surrounding tissues. The brain must integrate all the incoming information and synthesize it into a unified motor output that signals the eyes and muscles how to react.

Exercises For Balance Help Maximize Balance System Functions

Because the human balance system is so complex, disruption due to ageing, injury or disease can have disastrous effects on balance and frequency of falling. For example, changes in our vision effects our balance abilities. Aging or medications can negatively influence our inner ear system, the vestibular system. Injuries or sensory changes in our feet/ankles from diabetes or other insults can hamper the sensory feed back from our feet, thereby limiting our balance abilities. Consequently, exercises for balance are vital to improve balance and reduce the risk of falls.

Exercises For Balance Needed To Improve Balance

The good news is that by consistently performing exercises for balance, we can improve our balance and maximize the balance system's function. For instance, senior exercises for balance have been shown to increase balance and reduce falls by a significant amount in older populations. Exercises for balance present the sensory input to the brain so the brain can practice integrating the information. Exercises for balance also help the muscles practice the balance reactions needed to reduce falls.

Exercises For Balance Instruction In The Exercise For Balance DVD

In the Exercise For Balance DVD you will learn the proper techniques for balance and proper exercises for balance that will maximize the balance system, improve balance and reduce falls. Order your DVD by clicking on the BUY NOW button at the top right or see

http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/buy-now

Start your exercises for balance today!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Balance Exercises For Mom & Dad

Start Balance Exercises For Mom & Dad, Aunts & Uncles & Neighbors Over 60-

For anyone in their 30's, 40', and 50's who have parents and relatives in their 60's, 70', 80's and 90's don't wait, get your loved ones started on balance exercises today. Lets think this through for a minute. Statistics show that 1 in 3 individuals over the age of 60 fall every year. Those falls are costly in many ways. Falls in seniors usually result in hip or wrist fractures. A trip to the emergency room can cost $1-2, 000. A wrist fracture can cost $2,500-3,500 to fix. A hip fracture with surgery can run up to $43,000.

In addition to the financial costs, falls result in huge loss of quality of life and convenience. After a fall, many injuries leave seniors unable to drive, cook, clean, walk and even dress independently. Will you be the one to take them to doctors and physical therapy appointments? Will you be dropping off meals and cleaning the house? The impact on everyone involved is enormous.

Balance Exercises Improve Balance and Prevent Falls

The good news is that daily balance exercises are proven to improve balance and reduce the risk of falling. The Exercise For Balance DVD is the perfect tool for your Mom or Dad to use at home. The Exercise For Balance DVD has a licensed Physical Therapist instructing a 70 year old how to balance and which balance exercises and strength exercises to perform. The DVD is designed to be used at home with no additional equipment. There is no need for your parents to try to surf the web, download streaming video or anything else. They can just pop the DVD into their player and start doing their balance exercises.

Balance Exercises Sheet Included

The Exercise For Balance DVD also comes with a laminated exercise sheet to remind them to do their balance exercises daily.

To order, click on BUY NOW or see http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/buy-now

You can also watch a short preview of the DVD at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTIGDk0DY-A

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Exercises For Balance VS Exercises For Strength

Specific Exercises For Balance Improve Balance and Strength

A study was presented in the International Journal of Sports Medicine titled Gain In Strength and Balance After Balance Training, by Heitkamp H.-C., Horstmann T., Mayer F., Weller J. and Dickhuth H.-H. The study involved one group of patients performing exercises for balance and another group doing leg strengthening exercises. The participants performed their routine of exercises for balance and strength for 6 weeks.

Exercises For Balance Made Significant Improvements

The results of the study showed significant improvements in both balance and strength for the paticipants who performed the exercises for balance. The group that practiced the strength exercises showed improvement in strength, but not statistically significant increases in balance. The study therefore suggests that exercises for balance enhance both balance and strength while strength exercises enhance only strength.

The Exercise For Balance DVD Contains Exercises For Balance and Exercises For Strength

With this study in mind, we can see that the Exercise For Balance DVD is the perfect tool for all your balance and strength needs. In the Exercise For Balance DVD, you will learn the best exercises for balance and best strength exercises to improve balance and prevent falls. To order your DVD click on the BUY NOW button or see



Start your exercises for balance today!!!

Monday, September 26, 2011

Balance Exercises For A World-Class Athlete

What Balance Exercises Does a World Class Rock Climber Do?

Ask Chauncenia Cox. Chauncenia began formal rock climbing competitions at the age of seven. She has competed at nationals 9 times. She has taken on the world twice for Youth World competitions and twice for Adult World competitions. Chauncenia has been on the podium more times than she can count.

CHECK OUT HER AMAZING TECHNIQUES AT: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=chauncenia+cox&aq=f&aql=f

Balance Exercises Are Vital For All Of Us

To be a world-class rock climber, Chauncenia needed to develop strength, agility, timing, problem solving, endurance and of course BALANCE. Rock Climbing requires a high level of basic balance techniques. First, Chauncenia developed a strong sense of where her balance point was in her body. That demand to know our balance point is important for all of us. For us mere mortals to remain standing and avoid falling, we all need to learn how to center our balance point in the middle of our feet. To remain glued to the wall, Chauncenia needed to be in control of her balance point at all times.

Balance Exercises Help With Basic Balance Techniques

To be able to hold onto the wall and prepare for the next move, Chauncenia needed to excel at both STATIC and DYNAMIC Balance. Static balance is the ability to keep our balance point within our base of support. For us mortals, we must center our balance point over our feet when we are standing. For Chauncenia, she had to be able to keep her balance while holding one with one arm or a combination of one or more appendages. Additionally, Chauncenia mastered dynamic balance. Dynamic balance is the ability to control our balance point while shifting it to another position. While walking, we must control the movement of our balance point while shifting from one foot to another. While climbing, Chauncenia had to transition her body weight from one hold on the wall to the next. Sometimes that was in a slow and controlled manner and sometimes that was in a wildly ballistic manner.

Chauncenia's balance exercises involved being on a combination of one or two limbs while maneuvering a ball or other moving object. For us, there are some much easier balance exercises that will help improve balance and reduce risk of falling.

In the Exercise For Balance DVD, you can learn the basic balance techniques and specific balance exercises that you will need to live a full and active life at your level. To order your DVD, click on the BUY NOW button or see http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/buy-now

Start your balance exercises today!

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Successful Aging Includes Balance Exercises

Balance Exercises Help Us Age Gracefully

Regular physical activity, including balance exercises, is associated with a decreased risk of death from cardiovascular disease and is important in the prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus, colon and breast cancer, and osteoporosis. However, even after disease presentation, participation in regular physical activity and balance exercises continues to play an important role in the management of the disease, well into the retirement years. Older adults are a group that is particularly vulnerable to chronic disease and disability especially secondary to falls, and physical activity maintains or increases quality of life by preserving independence.

Balance Exercises and Physical Activity --A Fountain of Youth

There is no age limit to the benefits of physical activity; it can slow and reverse age-related loss of strength, endurance, and flexibility. Further, participation in regular physical activity through the middle-age years and into retirement may delay biological aging by 10 to 12 years. Aging has been described as a normal and gradual physiologic process of structural and functional loss, with a decline noted in middle and late adulthood. Predetermined changes that occur with aging include decreasing lung capacity,
flexibility, and sensorial acuity, as well as a general slowing of movement and loss of muscle tone. Physiological functions deteriorate, but decline is not considered a disease. Certain problems that once were considered inevitable in aging are, in reality,
related to disuse; disuse actually exacerbates the naturally occurring changes. It is known that regular physical activity, including balance exercise, increases independence and physiologic reserve, helps prevent falls and associated injuries, prevents cognitive decline, manages chronic disease and pain, and improves mental outlook, particularly in depression.

Balance Exercises Reduce the Number of Falls

Falls and fall-related injuries are common in this age group and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Hip fractures, the most common consequence of a fall, often lead to the loss of independence. Those who fall and are unable to get up run the risk of developing pneumonia, dehydration, pressure sores, and rhabdomyolysis.Although there are many reasons why older adults fall, one common reason is the lack of muscle strength in the lower limbs due to loss of muscle mass. Beginning
in middle age and into the eighth decade, back, arm, and leg muscle strength decreases by 60%. Muscle endurance also decreases, leading to rapid fatigue. There is evidence to suggest that muscle strength can be improved with resistance and strength training, and the improvements are manifest well into the tenth decade. This improved strength may also assist the individual to get back on his or her feet sooner once a less serious fall has occurred. Balance exercises are also key to improving balance and reducing falls.

Balance Exercises Reduce the Risk of Falling

To learn which balance exercises to do, get the Exercise For Balance DVD.

In the Exercise For Balance DVD a licensed physical therapist will teach you how to balance and which balance exercises to perform on a daily basis. To order a DVD click on BUY NOW or see



http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/products

Watch a 2 minute preview at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTIGDk0DY-A

Start your balance exercises today!!!

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Those With Multiple Sclerosis Can Improve Balance With Balance Training

Balance Training Can Improve Balance In Those suffering With MS

Effects of Vestibular Rehabilitation on Multiple Sclerosis–Related Fatigue and Upright Postural Control:

A Randomized Controlled Trial

Fatigue and impaired upright postural control (balance) are the 2 most common findings in people with multiple sclerosis (MS), with treatment approaches, including balance training, varying greatly in effectiveness and ability to improve balance.

The aim of this study was to investigate the benefits of implementing a vestibular rehabilitation program to decrease fatigue and improve balance in patients with MS.

Specific Balance Exercises Improve Balance in MS Patients

Intervention-The experimental group underwent vestibular rehabilitation including balance exercises, the exercise control group underwent bicycle endurance and stretching exercises, and the wait-listed control group received usual medical care.

Results of The Study Show Improved Balance in MS Patients

RESULTS: Following intervention, the experimental group had greater improvements in fatigue, balance, and disability due to dizziness or disequilibrium compared with the exercise control group and the wait-listed control group.

Conclusion: A 6-week vestibular rehabilitation program demonstrated both statistically significant and clinically relevant change in fatigue, improved balance, and disability due to dizziness or disequilibrium in patients with MS.

As we can see from this study, balance exercises help a wide variety of people improve balance. Studies that we have looked at previously detailed that people with diabetes or over 60 years old were able to also improve balance through specific balance exercises. HOW ENCOURAGING!!

Now, there is a tool specifically designed to help people perform daily balance exercises to improve balance.

The Exercise For Balance DVD goes through specific balance exercises and balance techniques that will help you reduce the risk of falling and improve your balance. Order your Exercise For Balance DVD by clicking the BUY NOW button or see



http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/products

You can also watch a 2 minute preview video at

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTIGDk0DY-A

Improve Balance Through Exercise

Balance Exercises are Proven to Improve Balance in the Eldery

Exercise for improving balance in older people

A decrease in ability to maintain balance may be associated with an increased risk of falling. In older adults, falls often lead to injury, loss of independence, associated illness and early death. In short, seniors need to improve their balance through exercise to reduce falls. The objective of this review is to present the best evidence for the effectiveness of exercise interventions designed to improve balance in older people living in the community or in institutional care.

Recent Research on Balance Exercises to Improve Balance

The review included 34 studies, with a total of 2883 participants, the majority of whom were women and on average over 75 years old. The review found that exercise has statistically significant positive effects to improve balance as opposed to usual activity for older people. This review investigated a variety of interventions. Those that appeared to have the greatest impact were walking; balance; co-ordination and functional exercises; muscle strengthening; and multiple exercise types. Improvements were seen in the ability to stand on one leg, reach forward without overbalancing and walking. There was trend shown to improve balance with cycling on a static cycle. In general, this review agrees with other systematic reviews covering related areas in older people, such as resistance training for physical disability and falls prevention.

Improve Balance with the Exercise For Balance DVD

In the Exercise For Balance DVD you will learn how to balance and which balance exercises to perform to improve balance.

To order your DVD click the BUY NOW button or see

http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/products

Watch the 2 minute promo video on youtube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTIGDk0DY-A

Start to IMPROVE BALANCE Today!!!

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Balance Training For seniors

Research Shows that Balance Training Helps Seniors

Enhancing Functional Balance and Mobility Among Older People Living in
Long-Term Care Facilities



Jennifer C. Nitz, PhD, M Phty, B Phty
Diane
L. Josephson, Dip Physio
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


This study of long-term care residents investigated whether a balance strategy training program (BSTP) developed for
older people living in the community is effective in improving functional mobility and reducing falls when adapted to resident functional abilities. Balance Training was delivered twice weekly over 12 weeks. Outcome measures compared pre-
and postintervention measured Timed Up and Go, Functional Reach, timed 5 sit-to-stand movements, and number of falls in 12 weeks before intervention with 12-week follow-up period. Forty-seven residents participated in the balance training, 26 of whom were cognitively impaired. There was a significant improvement in all functional balance and mobility measures.

Background on those Seniors Who Need Balance Training

Residents in long-term or aged care facilities have a higher risk of sustaining an injurious fall than community-dwelling older people. Hospital admissions result in between 10% and 25% of falls.[1] The risk of falling is compounded by residents’ low levels of physical activity and need for balance training. Frailty is a major contributor to inactivity and fall susceptibility, but the environment is also an important contributor.[2]



Individual frail residents commonly have multiple coexisting complex and chronic conditions. These commonly include diabetes, heart failure, arthritis, stroke, and dementia. All contribute to vulnerability to decreased activity and falls and need for balance training.[3] It is known that the medications prescribed for management of many conditions are proven risk factors for falling.[3] Vision deficits are commonly encountered in residents. When combined with strength, balance, and gait impairments, as well as environmental hazards, potential for fall risk is accentuated.[4] Acquisition of an acute illness is also a major risk factor for falling, and a history of a recent fall is a most significant indicator for future falls.

Effectiveness of Balance Training

There is evidence that exercise programs that include target-directed reaching, coordination, and balance training in addition to
strengthening with or without gait training have an impact on functional mobility. [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] Functional
mobility is determined by postural stability and dynamic balance. The concept that postural stability and balance relies on intact sensory and motor systems with efficient integration centrally underpins the balance strategy training program (BSTP)[13] as
previously reported. In frail older people, there are considerable constraints on sensory (somatosensation, vision, vestibular system) efficiency, integration, and anticipatory postural adjustments, as well as limits of stability due to age and pathology.[14]
Knowledge suggests that improvement in these, through balance training, contributors to postural stability and balance is
only achieved by challenging all these aspects with applicable task-based exercises. It is therefore important to determine whether exercise programs that are designed to challenge the sensory and motor components of functional balance and mobility and known to reduce falls in community-dwelling older people [13] , [15] can affect functional balance and mobility and reduce the
number of falls in frail older people living in residential long-term care.

Get Specific Balance Training with the Exercise For Balance DVD

To order your Exercise For Balance DVD to start your balance training click on BUY NOW or see http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/products

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Need To Improve Balance Through the Ages

We All Need To Improve Balance

Not long ago, we all went through the developmental process of learning to walk. That process required us to improve balance and increase strength. At first, we held on to the coffee table or chair to keep from falling. As we developed, we needed better balance training to participate in sports like soccer, basketball, gymnastics, karate. some of us developed our balance further for activities like skiing and surfing.

As We Age We Still Need To Improve Balance

As the baby boomers head into their 60's, the components of their balance system begin to become compromised. The eyes don't see quite as well. The ankles become stiffer and vestibular system in the inner ear becomes a bit weaker. With these changes, it is important to do specific balance training to improve balance and reduce the risks of falling.

Improve Balance with the Exercise For Balance DVD

The Exercise For Balance DVD is an excellent tool for anyone nearing 60 years old, or for anyone who has had a disease or injury process effect their balance. The DVD goes through specific balance training on how to balance and which balance exercises and strength exercises to practice to improve balance and prevent falls. To Order your DVD click BUY NOW or see http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/products

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Improve Balance With Exercise

Improve Balance With Specific Exercises For Balance

As we age, our balance abilities diminish. We need to perform exercises for balance just like we need to perform strength exercises and mental exercises. Often times, we look to our doctors or the internet for information to help us with proper exercises. Unfortunately, the internet is full of suggestions to just "Stand On One Foot" to help improve your balance. Let me tell you, there is more to it.

Informative Balance Training to Improve Balance

If we just try to stand on one foot, we will be wiggling all over the place with no long term benefit. We need to have specific balance training to learn how to balance. We need to know how to find our balance point first so there is a strong brain-body connection during each balance exercise. Consequently, we will be able to perform our baalnce exercises with our brains engaged and we will see measureable change of improved balance with standing and walking activities.

Learn How to Improve Balance with the Exercise For Balance DVD

In the Exercise For Balance DVD will you receive detailed balance training on how to balance, how to find your center point and how to perform exercises for balance that will give you maximal benefit to improve balance.

order your DVD click BUY NOW or see

http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/products

Friday, September 9, 2011

Research on Balance Exercises and Arthritis

Research on Balance Exercises and Arthritis


Research shows Balance Exercises help those with Arthritis

In the following research article, we see that balance exercises help those suffering with both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Feasibility and outcomes of a home-based exercise program on improving balance and gait stability in women with lower-limb osteoarthritis or rheumatoid
arthritis: a pilot study.

Williams SB – Arch Phys Med Rehabil – 01-JAN-2010; 91(1):
106-14
Authors:
Williams SB; Brand CA; Hill KD; Hunt SB; Moran
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the feasibility and gait stability and balance outcomes of a 4-month individualized home exercise program for women with arthritis.. PARTICIPANTS: Women with lower-limb osteoarthritis or lower-limb rheumatoid arthritis were enrolled. INTERVENTION: After completion of the initial assessment, all participants received home balance exercises from an experienced physiotherapist based on assessment findings and exercises available from commercially available kits. All measures were repeated 4 months later. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Falls risk and balance measures. RESULTS: Thirty-nine women completed the 4-month program. At baseline, 64% of participants reported falling in the preceding 12 months. Participants achieved improved performance on most balance and related measures after the exercise program, including falls risk, fear of falling, functional reach test, rising index for sit to stand, step width in walking and body mass index. CONCLUSIONS: An individualized balance training home exercise program is feasible for older women with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis and may improve stability during walking and other functional activities.

Research Shows the Validity of Balance Exercises

As we see in this study, daily performance of balance exercises helps improve our balance and reduce falls. The exercise For Balance DVD is the perfect tool to show you how to Balance and what Balance Exercises to do.

To Order a DVD click on BUY NOW or see http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/products

Monday, September 5, 2011

What Makes Up Our BALANCE?

We have been looking at Balance and how to improve our balance through balance exercises. Balance is a complex system composed of sensory input from our Vision, Proprioception (touch) and the Vestibular System (equilibrium). Next, our brains must integrate all the sensory information. Finally, a Motor Output is sent to the muscles in the body to maintain an upright posture, whether we are still or moving.

Injury, disease and age causes each one of those systems to become compromised. Daily balance exercises are needed to keep our balance systems functioning at their optimal rate and to prevent falls and injury. The Exercise For Balance DVD presents the best balance exercises needed to improve our balance and to keep from falling.
See www.exerciseforbalance.com for a Balance DVD