As we age, our ability to control our balance and coordination decreases, primarily due to being less active. This is why Phenomenal Fitness is raising awareness about the importance of exercise in our later years to reduce the risk of injury and falls. Factors such as reduced muscle strength, stiff joints, delayed reaction times and changes in the way your body senses stimuli that regulate balance allwork to reduce older people’s ability to steady themselves (Larson, 1997).

When you reach 50, our body produces less muscle building hormones and approximately 10% less every decade thereafter (ACSM 2009). This
major factor combined with less participation in sports and recreational activities contribute to a decline in muscle mass. Strength training
interventions may be a powerful tool in the prevention loss of muscle mass, which is commonly known as sacropenia. In addition, progressive resistance training can positively influence whole body energy expenditure, muscle growth, and function (Journal of the American College of Nutrition).

Since the majority of Americans have a sedentary job, all the years of sitting at your desk eventually catch up with you. Typically you are slouching; your head is forward looking at the computer screen, and your low back is curved. This is a recipe for disaster, since this can ultimately change the way your entire body moves. The many years of improper posture while sitting reduce the mobility in your joints and affect your range of motion. If you were to trip, and can’t move your leg far enough to balance yourself since you’ve lost flexibility this puts you at risk for greater injury. It is this component of “structural soundness” (strength and flexibility) that is such an important component to PhenomenalFitness’s approach to longevity and wellness when dealing with the aging population.

The other aspect to aging is the decrease in your body’s ability to see, touch, smell, hear and feel all which help contribute to understanding your surroundings and responding to them (AORN Journal). Fortunately, your body can adapt to your surroundings, so if you are involved in an exercise program which challenges your ability to see, touch, and move your body as directed, you are more likely to hold onto this skills as you age.

Let the trainers at Phenomenal Fitness help you keep an active lifestyle, by signing up with a personal training program designed for YOU. Just because we grow old doesn’t mean we still can’t feel, look and perform our very best.

References

 1. Larson, P., Hazen, S., & Martin, J. (1997). Assessment and management of sensory loss in elderly patients. . AORN, 65(2), 432-433.

2. Vandervoort, A. (2009). Potential Benefits of Warm-up for NeuromuscularPerformance of Older Athletes. American College of Sports Medicine, 37(2), 60-65. Retrieved April 3, 2012, fromhttp://ovidsp.tx.ovid.com.p.atsu.edu/sp3.5.1a/ovidweb.cgi?QS2=434f4e1a73d37e8c4c6b0278886828391bd19ef3ef03715bfb7ddc85ceda085c6a960cec49f213a654cab66608a2d8d55d0156dd64626ebd14adc5e6b4fa0ea4c646eb8d4e01d200a487cab5748bd48db3403151f3c16f49f52d8f37a76c82be

3. Fielding, R. (1995). The role of progressive resistance training and nutrition in the preservation of lean body mass in the elderly. Junior College of American Nutrition , 14(6), 587-594 . Retrieved April 18, 2012, from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8598419