Motivators And Senior Balance Exercises

Motivation For Senior Balance Exercises

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

  We all know that physical activity, strengthening exercises and senior balance exercises  are essential to keep our older adults healthy and independent, but how do we motivate them to continue with a stability program? Please see   http://www.exerciseforbalance.com/buy-now For those middle aged folks who have aging parents or healthcare workers like nurses, doctors and physical therapists who work with senior citizens,  we recognize the importance of keeping our older individuals moving and strong with various fitness programs. One challenge, however, is to keep those in the aging population on course to continue with strengthening and balance exercise programs going on a daily basis. We understand that daily exercise is needed to develop not only muscle tension and force production that translates into functional strength, but also maintain fast and strong balance reactions in the feet and ankles to prevent falls and injuries form falls. In terms of motivation, researchers have found that there are intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors. Research has shown that intrinsic motivators of physical activity that satisfy an innate psychological need (e.g., skill development, satisfaction, self-worth, enjoyment) better reflect increased and maintained physical activity than extrinsic factors that are executed to achieve a separate consequence (e.g., praise, money, increased energy, improved quality of life). As a healthcare provider or caregiver for an older individual, it is critical to keep intrinsic motivational matters in mind as you help loved ones perform senior balance exercises.

Motivating Senior Balance Exercises

  To develop necessary motivation to continue with daily  senior balance exercises, keep in mind certain intrinsic factors. One such example of intrinsic motivation factors  is to acknowledge the skill development of balance reactions. You can notice a progression of skill advancement in your balance reactions by performing a single leg stance exercise. In this equilibrium routine, you stand on one foot ( stand near a counter or table if you need to touch your hand down at any time) for about twenty seconds. When you first initiate this exercise, you will notice that you feel very off balance, you may have to touch your hand on to a stable object several times and you feel your ankles wobbling vigorously. Over several weeks time as you practice this steadiness routine every day, you will recognize an advancement in your balance abilities where you may not have to touch your hand down at any time, your ankles will be more steady and you will feel more confident with this exercise, leading to heightened motivation to continue your stability program. You can practice these and other senior balance exercises in the comfort of your own home by following along with the Exercise For Balance DVD.  

 

Senior Balance Exercises In The Exercise For Balance DVD

    To stay motivated with physical activity,  initiate a program of the best balance exercises with the Exercise For Balance DVD. The healthcare professional recommended Exercise For Balance DVD is an excellent educational DVD to use at home or in a group setting. The easy to understand and to follow Exercise For Balance DVD includes  a step by step series of up to date balance and strength exercises necessary to optimize senior fitness and to perform basic daily activities like shopping, doing laundry,  walking, standing, cleaning house, stair climbing or to advance to more difficult activities like skiing, dancing, bocce ball and hiking. In the  comprehensive Exercise For Balance DVD, you will learn how to improve stability, steadiness techniques and balance routines from a  qualified balance specialist --- licensed Physical Therapist---who has worked with balance and dizziness disorders for over 25 years. Get your copy of the Exercise For Balance DVD by clicking on the BUY NOW button

Keep going in later years 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/