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- Exercise
Rhythm and moves for balance and cognition by Sue Scott, MS
Rhythm and moves, gestures and sound, music and dance . . . toe tapping and the evolution of language? How did the rhythms and music of our ancient ancestors help humans understand each other? And what does that have to do with exercise class, balance or cognition? Evidence from anthropology and neuroscience indicate that language, rhythms, music and movement are deeply rooted in the evolution of our past and still play key roles in our brains.
This article sets the stage for using rhythm and music to enhance balance and cognition in older adults. Weaving together intriguing insights in neuroscience regarding human expression, movement and rhythm can inspire and enhance our practices as exercise professionals.
Exercise
Actions and exercises to improve posture by Kathy M. Shipp, PT, MHS, PhD
It is true that gravity takes its toll as we age. The pull of gravity on our bodies over decades of living can result in body alignment that brings the head, shoulders and upper back forward. These changes occur gradually, so often people do not realize the changes have occurred and have become fixed; a person may suddenly realize that bringing the head up and back, pulling the shoulders back, and reducing the forward curve of the spine is not possible.
Fortunately, attention to good alignment throughout every day and targeted exercise can prevent poor posture with aging. Even those with long-standing poor alignment can improve to some extent.
Exercise
Minutes to motivate exercise by Patricia Ryan, MS
For people who are reluctant or casual exercisers, the messages surrounding physical activity can be confusing—and intimidating. Or, if they find they are still gaining weight despite walking around the block or to a nearby store, it may seem that physical activity isn’t living up to the promises.
As a professional, you know there are several ways of translating the familiar formula for planning an exercise program:
Exercise
Dive into the deep for head-to-toe resistance training by Mary E. Sanders, PhD, FACSM, RCEP
Maintaining muscle strength and power is vital for functional independent living. Between ages 20 and 40 years, the human body reaches peak muscle mass and force. As the body ages into mid and later life, it undergoes a progressive, generalized loss of muscle mass, strength and power, known as sarcopenia. Aging also may lead to more rapid declines in muscle power compared to strength. Power—the rate of doing work or the time required to do work—affects the performance of activities such as stair climb, sit to stand, walking and agility. To be more “powerful,” muscles need to contract at various speeds.
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Healthy balance, brains & bones, part three: building bones in the pool by Mary E. Sanders, PhD, FACSM, RCEP
Remember Millie? In part one of “Healthy balance, brains & bones,” we met this active 63-year-old who loves water exercise and horseback riding. A knee replacement had left Millie unsure of her balance, and rather than walk across the pasture to her horse, she had stopped riding. After incorporating balance and strengthening exercises into her land and water activity plan, Millie now feels more confident and stable when walking. She is still concerned, however, about taking charge of her bone health. Millie has osteopenia.
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Healthy balance, brains & bones, part two: 'watering' the brain by Mary E. Sanders, PhD, FACSM, RCEP
Nancy found the phone number she needed as the doorbell rang. But after dashing to the porch, she promptly forgot what she had been doing moments before. Chances are Nancy’s forgetfulness is normal aging. Still, she can take action to help boost her brainpower, store information and stay equipped to do something with it. Smart training targets cognitive and executive function skills.
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