Mobility & Fitness

Newsbriefs: Aerobic Exercise; Older Patients & Cardio Disease; Protein’s Effect on Women

Apr 20, 2017 · UHN Staff · Mobility & Fitness

Aerobic exercise improves brain blood flow to key areas Exercising on a stationary bike or treadmill increased blood flow to areas of the brain involved in memory and cognition, according to a study that appeared online Nov. 12, 2013 in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. Study participants were sedentary … Read More

Regular Exercise is Good for More Than Just your Waistline

Apr 20, 2017 · UHN Staff · Mobility & Fitness

We tend to think of exercise’s main benefits as keeping our weight down and maintaining good cardiovascular health. But we can add six more reasons why older adults should exercise regularly: 1) better overall health, 2) improved attention and 3) conflict resolution skills, 4) reduced risk of cognitive impairment, 5) … Read More

Maintaining Muscle Mass May Help Prolong Your Life

Apr 17, 2017 · UHN Staff · Mobility & Fitness

Recent research suggests that the more muscle mass older Americans have, the less likely they are to die prematurely. The findings add to the growing evidence that overall body composition—and not the widely used body mass index, or BMI—is a better predictor of all-cause mortality. The study, published online Feb. … Read More

Home-Based Walking Program Helps PAD Patients

Mar 29, 2017 · Matthew Solan · Mobility & Fitness

If you suffer from peripheral artery disease (PAD), new research suggests you take a walk. The study, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association (May 21, 2014), found that a home-based walking program could help PAD patients walk faster and farther. PAD is a disease in which plaque … Read More

Tai Chi: It May Be Good for What Ails You

Mar 29, 2017 · Matthew Solan · Mobility & Fitness

The practice of tai chi originated in China thousands of years ago as a series of slow, gentle, contemplative bodily exercises geared largely toward improving one’s emotional self-control and the demanding physical skills required by practitioners of the martial arts. Today, an abundance of scientific research supports the widely held … Read More

Take a Walk and Preserve Your Mobility

Mar 29, 2017 · Matthew Solan · Mobility & Fitness

Doctors define mobility in older adults as the ability to walk 400 meters—about a quarter mile—without help from a person or walker (a cane is okay), and without sitting down. Most of us assume that we’ll be able to do this if we just stay physically active. But until recently, … Read More

Give Your Grip Strength a Hand

Mar 29, 2017 · Matthew Solan · Mobility & Fitness

Are you losing your grip? Your grip strength comes into play whenever you open a jar or a door, carry grocery bags, or handle the steering wheel when driving your car. The strength of your grip is something you depend on every day. But you may not appreciate it until … Read More

Ask the Doctor: Exercise & Arthritis; Protein Drinks; Compression Socks

Mar 29, 2017 · UHN Staff · Mobility & Fitness

Q: I have arthritis in my fingers and can’t really hold hand weights. Are there other “weight-bearing” exercises I can do to keep my arms strong? A: Absolutely! With your doctor’s approval, here is a basic move that uses your own body weight to help you sustain, and build, arm … Read More

Stand Up to Health Posture and Improve Quality of Life

Mar 29, 2017 · Matthew Solan · Mobility & Fitness

Good posture can do more than just improve your appearance. It can improve your health and wellbeing too. Slouching and slumping places intense pressure on specific body points, such as your jaw, neck, chest, and low back. “This can lead to a variety of issues, such as breathing problems, headaches, … Read More

Get Better Posture With The Alexander Technique

Mar 21, 2017 · Kate Brophy · Mobility & Fitness

If you have arthritis or other conditions that cause muscle tightness, you may find relief from the “Alexander Technique,” an exercise method that helps improve movement, balance, support, and coordination—which, in turn, relieves muscle tightness and related discomfort. The Alexander Technique can be particularly beneficial if you suffer from neck … Read More