Functional Training

The American Council on Exercise sponsored this research to find out if Functional Training could benefit those of us clocking up the years. For the study 24 people in the age range 58 to 78 (men and women) were recruited. The idea was to find out if simple looking exercises each using two or more joints at the same time could be just as beneficial, or even more beneficial, than the more traditional gym workouts centered around the use of machines.

Follow the Functional Training link to get the 5 page report which was originally published earlier this year in the ACE's Fitness Matters magazine (aimed at Personal trainers like myself).

Aging and Exercise

26 useful thoughts about exercise as you age from a remarkably sensible site.

Lots of advertising at lifetips but not objectionable.

Tip 9 (out of 26):

Balance Training: Falling can be dangerous for older people, and fear of falling can cause people to restrict their activities. Strength training can help prevent falls. Tai chi and some yoga can improve balance, and there are also specific balance exercises, some using exercise balls. Exercise training is specific so you have to do balance training on your feet. Chair exercises won´t do it.