Articles
The Journal on Active Aging brings articles of value to professionals dedicated to older-adult quality of life. Content sweeps across the active-aging landscape to focus on education and practice. Find articles of interest by searching the article archives in three ways: Enter a keyword in the articles search bar; click on search by topic; or type a keyword or phrase in the general search bar at the top of the page.
Topic- Walking
Quick guide to pedometers by Patricia Ryan
When encouraging people to increase physical activity by walking, two valuable tools are pedometers and goals. By wearing a pedometer, individuals can significantly increase the number of steps they take. After all, the readout on the pedometer enables individuals see how much they walk. A goal gives people a reason to increase that number, whether as an individual pursuit or as part of a group challenge.
Pedometers vary in accuracy. Attaching the pedometer in the best possible position and consistently placing it in the same spot will help insure that the counts, no matter how accurate, reflect the individual’s steps.
Walking
Outdoor walks of Active Aging Week
A group walk is a popular activity during Active Aging Week. For the past few years, professionals who organized walks have shown how much a walk can fulfill the week’s goals of fun and education.
Hosts have geared walks to people who are very diverse: experienced hikers, competent walkers and beginners; people using wheelchairs, canes and walkers; family members from infants to grandparents; people with dementia and disabilities; caregivers and staff members. Politicians, entertainers, high school bands and other local celebrities have joined the event.
Walking
Small changes encourage walking by Dori Rosenberg, MPH, MS and Jacqueline Kerr, PhD
Increasing physical activity among older adults is one step that can help prevent and treat many health concerns, including high blood pressure, diabetes, overweight and depression. Walking is an excellent activity to promote to older adults because it is easy for many to do, inexpensive, can be done alone or with others, builds strength and balance, and is gentle on the body.
Older adults living in retirement communities have much to gain from increasing their physical activity as they may be older, more frail and less active than those living in the community.
Walking
Follow the trail for fun and fitness by Renee Harlow
The Country Meadows Retirement Communities Fitness Walking Trail is a directed walking path that leads participants through a variety of stations. Each station features an exercise or activity that targets:
· balance
· reaction time
· visual cues/following direction
· range of motion
· fine and gross motor skills
· strength and endurance
Walking
Strength conditioning for walkers by Wayne Westcott, PhD
The latest research on physical activity among Americans published in January by the National Cancer Institute, National Institute for Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is almost beyond belief (Troiano et. al., 2008). Assessments of nearly 5,000 people by means of activity accelerometers revealed that only 3.5% of men and women between the ages of 20 and 60 obtain 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week. For those over age 60, the percentage of minimally active adults fell to 2.4%.
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Flexibility exercises for walking by Julie Milner
There’s no better way to begin and end a walk than with a few stretches.
As you lead exercises before the walk, you can review the day’s agenda, check that everyone is prepared with proper footwear and water, and answer questions. During the walk, you can stop for a stretch break.
