Each year, one in three adults over the age of 65 fall at least once! (1) Good balance is the key to remaining independent and injury free during our retirement years. Check out this article where we cover:
- What makes up our balance system
- Why bad balance isn’t inevitable
- How to test your balance
Balance System:
Our balance system is incredibly complex, but to simplify it, our balance uses three main systems: our visual system (eyes), somatosensory system (sensation of what surface we are on or where our joints are in space), and vestibular system (inner ear). We also rely on on musculoskeletal system (muscles, joints, and posture) to maintain optimal balance. All of these systems provide important information to our brain for our ability to stay upright and not unexpectedly end up on the ground. With so many pieces making up our balance, it’s no wonder we get unsteady as we age!
Bad balance isn’t inevitable!
Just because we are getting older doesn’t mean our balance has to decline. Practicing causes improvements! You need to challenge your balance with exercises to make it better. That’s right exercises will improve your balance! But we first have to know where your balance is to start to challenge it.
Check out this video below to see how to check your balance and what you can start today to improve it!
Click here or visit WellnessYMCA.com to sign up for a FREE workshop and improve your health in 2021!
Shumway-Cook A, Baldwin M, Polissar N, Gruber W. Predicting the probability of falls in community dwelling older adults. Physical Therapy. 1997; 77(8): 812-819
O’Sullivan S, Schmitz T. Physical Rehabilitation 5th Edition. Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company; 2007.
Rosen T, Mack K, Noonan R. Slipping and tripping: Fall injuries in adults associated with rugs and carpets. J Injury Violence Res. 2013; 5(1): 61-69.
