Senior Balance Exercises And Gait Speed

Senior Balance Exercises And Walking Speeds

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

Senior balance exercises are an important factor in performing gait speeds that are safe and free from falling. Please see   http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/buy-now As we age, we typically slow down in many ways. Just ask an older individual and they will describe that it flat out takes longer to get out of bed, get out of a chair, go up and down stairs and generally walk around the house. Unfortunately, there is a specific window of walking speeds that are safe for older adults to perform to help them keep their footing and reduce the risk of falling. For aging individuals, walking too slow results in a decrease in momentum and greater potential for falling. Additionally, when seniors walk too fast, especially if they have neurologic diseases like Parkinson's, they tend to lose control and fall forwards. recently, medical researchers have looked at the speed of walking and the need for balance exercises for older adults.

Senior Balance Exercises And Rate Of Walking

Senior balance exercises are essential to perform every day to develop safe and timely walking patterns. Medical researchers published information in the Journal Of Gerontology that looks at walking speeds and other functional factors for older adults. In the study, Cognitive Function, Gait Speed Decline, and Comorbidities: The Health, Aging and Body Composition Study, researchers have presented insights that include:

Background. Emerging evidence indicates an association between cognitive function and physical performance in late life. This study examines the relationship between cognitive function and subsequent gait speed decline among high-functioning older adults.

Methods. Measures of global cognitive function (Modified Mini Mental State Examination [3MS]) and executive control function (ECF) (a clock drawing task [CLOX 1] and the 15-item Executive Interview [EXIT 15]) were obtained in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study in 1999–2000. Gait-speed (meters/second) was assessed over 20 meters at usual pace. Using a mixed model, we assessed the relationship between baseline cognitive function and gait-speed change over 3 years.

Results. Two thousand, three hundred forty-nine older adults (mean age 75.6 ± 2.9 years) completed the assessments. After adjustment for baseline gait speed, a 1-standard-deviation (SD) lower performance on each cognitive test was associated with greater gait-speed decline over 3 years: 0.016 m/s for the 3MS (SD = 8.1), 0.009 m/s for CLOX 1 (SD = 2.4), and 0.012 m/s for EXIT 15 (SD = 4.1) (p <.0005 for all). After adjustment for comorbidities, the effect size was attenuated for 3MS and CLOX 1, and the association for EXIT 15 was no longer significant. Depression score was most strongly associated with the EXIT 15 effect reduction.

Conclusion. Global and executive cognitive functions predict declines in gait speed. The association of ECF with gait speed decline is attenuated by comorbid conditions, particularly depression. Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying these associations may point to new pathways for the treatment of physical decline associated with diminished cognitive function.

   Now, we can put this information together to understand that as a person ages, as their walking speeds decline, their risk for falling increases. Consequently, it is essential for those in the older generation to practice equilibrium routines every day to combat these changes. Now, you can practice senior balance exercises in the comfort of your own home with the Exercise For Balance DVD, an easy to follow balance program developed by an experienced Physical Therapist.

Senior Balance Exercises In The Exercise For Balance DVD

    To begin the best balance exercises for maintaining your stability while walking,  get the Exercise For Balance DVD. The Balance DVD is simple to use at home or in a group setting. The professionally filmed DVD is loaded with the best 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

Keep walking safely 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/