Ageing and Wellness - Balance, Mobility and Flexibility are the Key

 

Balance, Mobility and Flexibility

The key elements of ageing well and all-round fitness are balance, mobility and flexibility training and often this is overlooked or neglected. We are aware of the need to add cardio and strength activities to our well-being programme but do not realise the benefits of these essential components of physical fitness. 

Maintaining or improving balance, mobility and flexibility help you to move well, feel better and look more youthful as you age. Balance training is essential in later life for fall prevention and mobility/flexibility training will help to prevent injury to your joints and muscles. This type of training also increases core strength and stability. 

Good balance is required for just about everything we do such as walking, standing still, getting out of a chair and bending over just to pick something up from the floor. Balance skills may not come naturally to some and this skill needs to be worked on with consistency. Balance training strengthens the muscles that keep us upright and stable. This includes our legs and core muscles and working on these will improve stability and prevent falls later on in our lives. Balance skills are essential as we age and this is why we should be thinking about balance training 

Stretching keeps our muscles flexible and healthy. Stretching our muscles after exercise whether it's walking, fitness classes or jogging will help to maintain a good range of movement within our joints. Without any stretching our muscles become tight and shorten, they become weaker and will not be able to extend in any way. This will in turn put you at risk of joint pain, instability, strains and muscle damage. Keeping the body flexible helps to prevent joint and muscle injury and it is important to know when and why we should stretch

The term 'functional training' is just that....... to make us functional or 'fine tune' certain moves, so that our bodies will become 'practical and useful' long into our latter years. Functional training is a must as we get older. It is designed to train and develop our muscles to make it easier and safer to perform everyday activities such as reaching the top shelf, getting out of the bath or chair with ease and the ability to carry our weekly shop without issues. Functional training is about the movements we need to think about as we age

Neglecting to stretch your body can make a big impact on your flexibility and balance. As if these components aren't challenging enough as you get older. After a full nights sleep, a good stretch will aid mobility, flexibility, and general movement. It will also help to increase your levels of concentration throughout your day.

This simple routine will give you a real energy boost in the morning, melting away any stress and tension. Your posture will improve and your muscles will strengthen and lengthen. A morning stretch can also help to prepare your body for movement and to avoid injury.

Balance skills, mobility and flexibility are vital components of health and wellbeing especially as we age. It is essential for us to consistently engage in activities that enhance and maintain these abilities. Standing on one leg as we clean our teeth every morning, remembering to squat down towards the floor rather than bending over if we pick something up and stretching our muscles regularly with a stretch routine to help prevent joint and muscle injuries.

©HealthyForeverFitnessMotivation

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