Did you know…

• Insufficient sleep can decrease your ability to balance and this effect is greater in older populations.
• A person gets "falling down drunk" due to a structure in the inner ear that floats when it becomes soaked in alcohol (Balance: a dizzying journey through the science of our most delicate sense by Carol Svec)
• One in four people over the age of 65 fall each year and over half of all falls occur at home – CDC

Balance, put simply, is the ability to maintain your center of gravity.  It involves strength & stability of the foot, ankle and trunk as well as input from the eyes (visual), inner ear (vestibular system), joints and muscles (proprioceptors).  All these systems work together to help us stay upright.

The visual system is really important when it comes to maintaining balance, which is why you can feel wobbly when you get up to go the bathroom in the dark and why your balance can change depending on where you focus your eyes. The vestibular system sends signals to the brain that is related to our head position, orientation in space, and motion. If the vestibular system is “off”, you may feel dizzy and unable to maintain balance.  This system isn’t as efficient when we get older explaining why I no longer enjoy roller coasters or curvy roads!

Age-related changes in muscle mass, motor neurons, the vestibular system, eyesight, and even blood pressure can result in balance difficulties, thus leading to an increase in falls in older populations. However, just because these changes happen naturally doesn’t mean we can’t slow the process and make improvements.

In 2020, about one in five Americans  reported using a smart watch or fitness tracker.  It can be a tool that helps or hinders; it all depends on how you use it!  Here are few pitfalls to be aware of and a few tips to get more benefit from your smart watch or fitness tracker.

Many of us are looking forward to getting back into the fitness studio or gym. However, even when these places resume business, it won’t look quite the same. Like it or not, exercise-at-home may remain your main option for a while as we deal with the Coronavirus pandemic. I’m hearing from many that you do not enjoy exercising at home. It may be that you don’t have adequate space or equipment. Or that you don't feel motivated without the group fitness atmosphere or a trainer there with you in-person. However, if you want to maintain or improve your fitness level and receive all the wonderful benefits of exercise, you can find ways around these barriers if you are willing to experiment.  At-home exercise may not be your favorite but it can be effective and surprisingly satisfying!