Fall prevention is one of our most popular workshops, and for good
reason, falling kills more women than breast cancer. This is scary, and we
recognize the danger of falls as we get older.
One in three adults over age 65
takes a serious tumble each year. Avoiding falls may mean a longer life: About
20% of women who fracture a hip become permanently disabled, and another 20%
die within a year
One way to prevent falls is to
work on our sense of balance. A sense of stability doesn't just help protect
you from future falls. There are immediate health benefits that can help us stay
healthier because we are more inclined to exercise as we no longer fear losing
our balance and falling.
We are often unaware that our
sense of coordination is slipping. Coordination is a complex skill that
requires good balance, but also good levels of other fitness components such as
strength and agility.
When we were young, we were able
to very easily (for many, not all) move and use our bodies effectively. My
grandson is a person who can use his body effectively when he does his double
front flips on his trampoline.
As we age, we have to work harder
to keep our sense of balance and to keep our coordination. There are two types
of balance: static and dynamic. Static balance is maintaining equilibrium when
stationary, while dynamic balance is maintaining equilibrium when moving. We
use our eyes, ears and 'body sense' to help retain our balance. The good news
is that both balance and coordination can be improved through practice and
training. By keeping good balance and coordination we can prevent our risk of
falling.
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