Why Your Next Prescription May Be for Exercise
Exercise can be performed at any age, and there is no exception as you grow older. In fact, older adults arguably need more exercise than their younger counterparts due to the advancing loss of muscle mass. Muscle mass decreases approximately 3–8% per decade after the age of 30, and declines even faster after the age of 60. With muscle mass loss, older adults are at increased risk of falls, injury and functional dependence. Exercise however, can improve and maintain muscle strength which can enhance overall quality of life. If you’re wondering how much exercise you should commit to, read on as we review recommendations made by the American Family Physician research team for exercise prescription for older adults 65+ years of age.
7 Components for Effective Balance Training
As the winter season approaches, people collectively tend to become apprehensive and cautious of potential slips and falls. It is common to see an increase in slips and falls in the winter because:
Ice makes surfaces slippery so our feet do not have solid purchase when on the ground.- Snow makes the bottom of our shoes wet so when we transition from outdoor to indoor surfaces the potential for slipping and sliding on tile, linoleum, or hardwood increases without proper precautions.
- Snow and ice cause uneven ground surfaces so we are no longer standing on a level base which is more challenging to control.
- Snow can camouflage or hide potential tripping hazards or dangers buried beneath.
- Things like black ice are not visible to our eye and therefore our body is not prepared to react when we step on it. (more…)
Preventing Recurrent Ankle Sprains
When I treat a patient after an ankle sprain, I am never surprised to find out that this may not be the first time they sprained their ankle. I often have younger athletes in the clinic after their second or third ankle sprain and find out that they never had any formal treatment after the first one. So why are recurring ankle sprains so common and how can we prevent them? (more…)
5 Ways to Reduce Your Chance of an Ankle Sprain
Ankle sprains are generally regarded as the most common sports-related injury and are, consequently, the #1 reason for lost time in athletics. In fact, it’s estimated that 1 in 17 high school athletes will suffer an ankle sprain per season. Yikes! Those are better odds than a lot of games in Vegas. As an athletic trainer, injury prevention is my top priority, so I’ve come up with a list of 5 ways to reduce your chance of experiencing (or re-experiencing) an ankle sprain. (more…)
