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
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
Exercise
Sensational activities that improve balance by Sue Scott, MS
For most of us, balance happens naturally, while we’re busy doing other things. But achieving and maintaining balance is never truly simple. To facilitate even a simple goal, like walking across a room, many systems must work smoothly together. Our balance system continually anticipates, interprets, learns from, monitors, coordinates and responds to ever-changing feedback from multiple sources, including our bodies, the environment and our will. With all of this dynamic interconnectedness, it is no wonder balance issues are complicated.
moreExercise
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%.
moreExercise
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.
Exercise
Group exercise blueprints for older adults by Michelle Streif, MA, CPT*D
As our older adult population explodes, we are answering the demand for smarter classes designed to benefit this increasingly active population. As instructors, we need to do our best to meet industry guidelines for environmental and safety issues, and learn the teaching skills necessary to successfully lead older adults.
moreExercise
Periodize training for the masters athlete by Joseph F. Signorile, PhD
Periodization is now a mainstay of athletic training. It is a method of cycling different training variables (volume, intensity, frequency and type of exercise) in a specific pattern designed to maximize performance and minimize fatigue. Put simply, periodization is a planning calendar to optimize the training responses.
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