IMPROVING BALANCE
Pensioner Fitness Improving Balance
Ian McClymont
What is Balance?
Balance is a use-it-or-lose-it function. It is the ability to maintain the body’s center of mass over its base of support. A properly functioning balance system allows humans to see clearly while moving, identify orientation with respect to gravity, determine direction and speed of movement, and make automatic postural adjustments to maintain posture and stability in various conditions and activities.
Balance is achieved and maintained by a complex set of sensorimotor control systems that include sensory input from vision, touch, and the motion system; integration of that sensory input; and motor output to the eye and body muscles. Injury, disease, certain drugs, or the aging process can affect one or more of these components. In addition to the contribution of sensory information, there may also be psychological factors that impair our sense of balance. You should practice your balance every day.
How Does The Balance System Work
A complex system controls your body’s ability to balance. While it may be taken for granted, your body’s balancing system is susceptible to malfunction or debilitate. Your sight, hearing and other sensory systems help to regulate your balance. All of these systems must work together for your body to maintain its balance. Therefore, the diagnosing of a balance issue is often difficult. Because so many different parts of the body are involved. For balance issues that are not treatable by medication or surgery, balance rehabilitation is an available option.
Our Brain Controls Balance
Our brain controls our balance. However, it needs sensors to keep updated, such as the eyes, the inner ear, joints and the muscles, everywhere from the head to the feet. However, if they are impaired, the signals may not be clear. As a result, our balance will weaken. As we age and get weaker muscles, it will affect our balance. Subsequently, we are in danger of serious life-threatening falls.
Loss of muscle mass: Sarcopenia
Sarcopenia is the loss of skeletal muscle mass and starts in the mid-30s as skeletal muscle mass is reduced. Combined with years of inactivity, it leaves you weak. Consequently, the dangers of a life-threatening fall are severe.
Reduced HGH secretions: Somatopause
Middle-aged spread (somatopause) starts in your 40s. It is the gradual reduction of human growth hormone (HGH) secretions. The first signs are skin wrinkles and putting on weight. Secondly, the gradual reduction in bone density begins leaving your immunity and bones vulnerable. The risk of serious organ diseases and fall-damaged bones happens and can be life-threatening.
Falls resulting in skull fractures.
Skull fractures are life-threatening injuries. Together, Sarcopenia and Somatopause will have a serious effect on your strength, mobility and balance. Falls often result in bone fractures. Skull fractures will need surgery and seriously damage the brain. Bruising or bleeding is serious and may have post-injury consequences.
Falls resulting in hip fractures
Hip fractures are as serious as skull fractures. A fractured hip may need an operation as a result of low bone density. Hip bones can shatter into sharp shards, which could sever the femoral artery. The femoral artery, when severed, will cause death in minutes. If this happens and you are alone at home, it is unlikely you will get help quickly. Hospitals and surgeons have serious financial restraints and difficulties in bed allocations, so they must prioritize. As a result, at 70 plus years with a hairline fractured hip. You could be sent home to heal naturally, with total bed rest. Also, some 20% of fractured hips result in death, especially in older women, as their bodies are not strong enough to recover from a serious hip injury.
Total bed rest means families and caregivers
Total bed rest needs carers or family support. Many challenges come with total bed rest at home. As a result, a heavy burden on the family or a full-time carer would be necessary. The cost of full-time carers is prohibitive and comes with many challenges. It is also unlikely that a family would have the skill, resources, or enthusiasm for such a challenging undertaking. However, if this is not possible, the only other option is a care home. Many older adults fear the loss of dignity and losing control of their destiny if they enter care homes. Also, there have been many recorded abuse cases in care homes in the past, which does not help. The result: loss of independence and loss of the family home with little chance of regaining either.
Your balance can be improved with practice.
At any age, you can improve on your current balance with some simple exercises. Especially if completed daily, it will improve. In the first place, you may have doubts or disbelief. But remember, no one ever walked a tightrope perfectly on day one. However, they failed many times until their balance improved, and yours will be too. Also, anyone can easily test their balance at home using a simple test that you can see in the video. Improving Balance is essential for your fall prevention and your independence. You should practice your balance every day.
A stability ball
A stability ball helps improve your balance. It is a great aid to help improve your ability to balance. These are not terribly expensive, but should you decide you want to buy one, most sports shops and online at Amazon are easy places to get one.
Simple household items
In your own home with no equipment, using your body and a simple household item, you can test and improve your balance using simple exercises that improve your results. There is no cost except for the time you spend testing and practising to improve daily. As a result, if you are determined to improve your balance and practise daily, you will see results. Improving balance is a must because balance is a use-it-or-lose-it skill.
Improve your balance with practice. For best results, commit to practicing your balance using these methods daily for just two weeks.
The last word
As you age, your balance has to be high on your list of things to improve. It is essential for your health and your ability to remain independent. And you need to bear in mind that it is a use-it-or-lose-it skill that you cannot afford to lose. Practicing balance should be taken seriously. Take all safety measures to ensure your safety when practicing.
See Ian McClymont’s Pensioner Fitness video: BALANCE
There are 4 VERY EASY FOLLOW-UP EXERCISES VIDEOS in the link:
Click -> EXERCISES
