Balance Archive

Exercise and Fitness

Yoga for weight loss: Benefits beyond burning calories

Published December 6, 2021

Obesity is a complex disease, and many factors contribute to weight gain and hinder efforts to lose weight. There is no single solution to weight loss, but there is good research that yoga may help manage stress, improve mood, curb emotional eating, and create a community of support, all of which can help with weight loss and maintenance.

Exercise and Fitness

How to stay strong and coordinated as you age

Published December 2, 2021

Many physical abilities decline with age, along with changes that occur in coordinating the movements of the body. One of the most significant causes of this decline is reduced physical activity. In fact, as people age it becomes even more important to exercise regularly, and regular activity can help improve strength and coordination.

Exercise and Fitness

Working out your brain

Published December 1, 2021

Cardio exercise has been convincingly linked to less cognitive decline and may even improve cognitive functioning. Research suggests it can strengthen the heart, promote arterial health, improve blood flow to the brain, fight inflammation, and increase key chemicals that promote new brain cell growth. The type of exercise does not matter, but cardio that is both physically challenging and offers mental stimulation is ideal.

Exercise and Fitness

High-intensity exercise and your heart

Published December 1, 2021

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) may improve fitness faster because people exercise harder rather than longer. HIIT features short bursts of high-intensity exercise (usually lasting one to four minutes) interspersed with periods of lower-intensity activity or rest. People who are older or who have heart disease should check with their doctors before trying HIIT. HIIT may produce equal or greater improvements in blood pressure and blood sugar compared with moderate-intensity exercise. But in terms of longevity, both exercise strategies seem to be equally beneficial.

Exercise and Fitness

Exercising safely with hearing or vision impairment

Published December 1, 2021

Certain adjustments can help someone with vision or hearing problems to exercise safely. For example, it may help to take a buddy on a walk, someone who can act as an extra set of eyes and ears. Stand in the front of an exercise class for a better view and a better chance to hear instructions. And it may help to get additional equipment, such as prescription sports glasses or a remote microphone for a hearing aid.

Healthy aging and longevity

Medications that increase your risk of falling

Updated November 15, 2021

Healthy aging and longevity

Medications that increase your risk of falling

Updated November 15, 2021

Exercise and Fitness

Exercise challenge: Part 3

Published November 1, 2021

Incorporating strength-building exercises into a workout routine can help people retain independence as they age. Exercises should work a combination of muscles. One good combination is as burpees, plank with arm extension, and crossed-legged low squats to eventually standing up from sitting on the ground without using the arms. In addition to helping people maintain independence, strength training can also improve balance and help people achieve a healthy weight.

Healthy aging and longevity

Master the stairs

Published November 1, 2021

Stair climbing is an excellent form of exercise for older adults, as it challenges multiple muscle groups at once, including the quadriceps, glutes, and calves. It also helps improve leg muscle power and overall fitness. There are different places suitable for stair climbing, from stair machines found in most gyms to outdoor stairs like stairways in stadiums to household stairs.

Exercise and Fitness

Fitness with a function

Published October 1, 2021

Functional fitness is about improving everyday movements like bending, reaching, twisting, and squatting. Conventional exercises can strengthen the muscles needed to perform these movements, but older adults often need additional exercises that improve how the body moves when doing these actions. These can include sit-to-stand, walking, and chair twists and arm raises.

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Balance Archive

Articles

Yoga for weight loss: Benefits beyond burning calories

How to stay strong and coordinated as you age

Working out your brain

High-intensity exercise and your heart

Exercising safely with hearing or vision impairment

Medications that increase your risk of falling

Medications that increase your risk of falling

Exercise challenge: Part 3

Master the stairs

Fitness with a function

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