How to Improve Balance and Keep It Strong

How to Improve Balance and Keep It Strong

As you age, balance becomes more and more important to help you stay upright and avoid dangerous falls.improve balance Fortunately, you can improve your balance and keep it strong through regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle.

The most important muscles for balance are your hip and core stabilizers, according to the Mayo Clinic.improve balance However, many different body systems are involved in balance, including the heart and blood vessels, bones, eyes, nerves, inner ears and muscles. Those that support your ankles and feet are also critical, as well as the muscles in the front of your legs, back and abdomen. Good balance requires good proprioception — the ability to sense where your body is in space and understand what kind of force is being exerted on your body.

A fall can result from weakness in any of these areas, but falling down stairs or off a ladder can be particularly devastating.improve balance The most common cause of falls in seniors is simply aging, though some medications and medical conditions can also interfere with balance. A traumatic fall can lead to a variety of injuries, from a broken leg to brain trauma. Luckily, most falls can be prevented by improving balance through exercises that strengthen your core and lower body and by training your sense of balance and spatial orientation.

Having the ability to move with speed and agility is important to maintaining your balance, so incorporate activities that challenge this into your workout routine.improve balance For example, dance classes like Zumba and line dancing can be great for improving your balance because the quick movements require you to shift your weight quickly from one side to another. Boxing and other martial arts also use a lot of footwork, and they’re great for increasing your strength, too.

If you want to add more balance training to your routine, try standing on one leg and then the other while completing a simple daily task such as brushing your teeth or washing your dishes.improve balance This will not only help to build your balance, but it will also increase the challenge of other exercises that you can do. You can also make balance training more fun by incorporating exercises that use instability devices such as a foam balance pad, a bosu ball or a wobble board into your workout.

Keeping your balance strong helps you remain active and confident in the face of challenges, whether it’s a slippery sidewalk or stepping off the curb while walking to catch your bus. Practicing these simple, at-home balance exercises and incorporating them into your daily routine can give you the confidence to continue to do the things that you love.