Want to prevent falls while exercising? Why not work out in the pool instead?
While exercise is considered essential to good health, there are significant barriers to regular physical activity. The fear of falling is one such impediment, especially among older adults.
The fear of falling may stem from several factors. Firstly, people who have experienced falling in the past may steer clear of exercising for fear of falling and hurting themselves again. Secondly, individuals whose strength and flexibility have been reduced due to age or injury may consider themselves prone to falls. Thirdly, people with balance problems will likely avoid activities fearing they may fall during exercise. Fourthly, the environment may contribute to this fear as individuals may feel less secure when exercising on uneven floors or poorly lit facilities.
An excellent way to exercise without the fear of falling is by doing aquatic exercises. You can perform a lot of exercises that can help you improve your sense of balance, and build strength and endurance, as well as flexibility, all with complete confidence. Unlike in a gym setting where you may fall on equipment or hard surfaces, training in the pool lets you exercise without worrying about a hard landing should you lose your balance.
Exercising in a water environment also confers a lot of other benefits. Buoyancy also helps you exercise with less strain as the water supports your weight and lets you move more easily, with a greater range of motion. The water setting provides resistance to help build muscle strength and endurance and improve your cardiovascular fitness.
Don’t let fear of falling prevent you from taking advantage of the benefits of exercise. Talk to our well-trained Allied Health Team over at Healthstin in Moss Vale on how you can get started on aquatic exercise today by calling 1300 090 931 or clicking this link.