We don’t usually think much about balance—until we start to lose it.
Balance is part of so many everyday things: walking, turning, reaching for something, stepping off a curb, or catching yourself when you stumble.
A few interesting things researchers have found:
- More than 1 in 4 adults over 65 fall each year. (CDC)
- Balance can be improved with practice. Regular physical activity can help maintain physical function, and the WHO recommends activities that work on balance and strength for older adults. (WHO)
- Exercise that includes balance and functional movement can reduce falls. Research reviews have found that exercise programs can help prevent falls in older adults. (Cochrane Review)
So balance isn’t simply something we either have or don’t have. We can keep working on it.
This is one reason I enjoy Tai Chi. The slow weight shifts, stepping, turning, and changes of direction give us lots of opportunities to practice balance—without making it feel like a workout.
And you don’t have to do anything fancy. Even noticing how you shift your weight from one foot to the other is a good place to start.
Balance is something we can practice, a little bit at a time.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Facts About Older Adult Falls. CDC — Facts About Older Adult Falls
- World Health Organization (WHO). WHO Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour. WHO — Physical Activity Guidelines
- Sherrington C, et al. Exercise for preventing falls in older people living in the community. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2019. Cochrane Review — Exercise for Preventing Falls
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