Importance of Balance as an Integral Element of Physical Therapy in Senior Fitness

StrongBoard Balance Board Physical Therapy in Senior Fitness

Physical therapy is beneficial for people of all ages be it young or old. It can help senior citizens in retaining their independence and improving their overall health and mobility. With age, people start losing their strength, flexibility and often their balance, which leads to falls and serious injuries. Falls are one of the major reasons why senior citizens require physical fitness. Bringing a balance tool into the physical therapy helps in improving these functions leading to fewer injuries and falls. StrongBoard MINI does just that.

The main motto of physical therapy is to help restore and improve functionality, reduce pain, and increase mobility and range of motion for better strength and balance. Physical therapy in senior fitness has a variety of benefits which can include not only gaining strength and balance, but also providing a renewed sense of confidence. It has several other benefits such as-

Improves mobility- As an older individual, if you are facing trouble standing, walking or moving, no matter your age. Exercises on StrongBoard MINI can help rebuild the connections between mind and body to help reduce these problems. Improving your proprioception through balance training is a great way to improve your reactivity thus reduces the possibility of falling. Exercising on StrongBoard MINI will help with flexibility and mobility.

Stroke recovery- It is common to lose some degree of function and movement after a stroke. Including balance into your physical therapy helps in strengthening where atrophy has occurred. A stroke damages the brain and weakens the messages your eyes, ears, and muscles are sending to the neurological system. StrongBoard MINI will help create new neuromuscular pathways and rebuild damage ones. Balance training will also improve proprioception, coordination, and overall balance.

Improve your balance and prevent falls- Once you begin with physical therapy you will get screened for slip fall risks. And, if you’re at a higher risk for falls, physical therapists will provide exercises that safely and carefully challenge your balance. Therapists also help you with exercises to improve mind-body connection and coordination to help with safer walking.

Avoid surgery- Balance training helps you eliminate pain or heal from an injury and in some cases, surgery may not be needed. And even if surgery is required, you may benefit from pre-surgery physical therapeutic balance training.

On a closing note, using StrongBoard MINI in the physical therapy field can give seniors back their independence. Working with a physical therapist will not only help reduce pain, it will also help improve overall strength. StrongBoard MINI proves to be a versatile tool that improves proprioception, posture and reduces the risk for injuries, helping you maintain a higher quality of life.

Balance Board Exercises for Beginners

Balance boards are a great way to attain fitness in a quick and fun workout that can be performed easily in the comfort of your own home.

Balance training with a few sets of balance board exercises are extremely beneficial in enhancing your everyday health and well-being. The biggest advantage of using a balance board in your workout routine is that it enables you to add a real element of physical stress training.

Balance board exercises are meant to improve three core areas- balance, equilibrium, and stability. Whether you are a retiree, college student or stay at home mom, a quick balance board workout is the solution for better proprioception and to get your heart rate up in just a few short minutes.

Balance board exercises have varying degrees of difficulty, and there are several exercises that you can perform on a balance board as a beginner.

StrongBoard Balance Board Exercises

Exercises to try with a balance board:

Balancing- Staying on the balance board in itself is an exercise. To get started-

  • Stand on your balance board with your feet a shoulder's width apart and bend your knees slightly.
  • Once you're comfortable, try to push the balance board from side to side without letting the edges touch the base.

As you get better with this, try to increase the speed and duration of moving back and forth.

Knee Pushups- Performing pushups on a balance board is a great way to activate many of your upper body’s muscles. The pushup is a good variant for beginners with your knees on the floor. To start your balance board pushup-

  • Place the balance board on the floor.
  • Put your hands on both side sides of the board, keeping them directly beneath your shoulders.
  • Try to lower your body by bending at the elbows. Once your elbows are at a 90-degree angle, push back up, and repeat.

Once you become advanced and gain enough strength, you can progress to regular pushups with your knees off the floor.

Squats on StrongBoard BalanceSquats - Using a balance board in your squat are a great way to stay strong, and fit. To set up for your squat-

  • Start by standing on the balance board with your feet a shoulder's width apart.
  • Place your hands in front of you, arms straight, and try to bend at the knees until they reach a 90-degree angle.
  • Try to reach the bottom of the squat.
  • Reverse the movement until you’re upright again.

 

* RESTORE BALANCE *
* BURN MORE CALORIES IN LESS TIME *
* INCREASE YOUR FLEXIBILITY, RANGE OF MOTION AND REACTION TIME *
* REVEAL AND STRENGTHEN YOUR WEAKNESSES * HEAL *
* IMPROVE BODY AWARENESS * BECOME MORE MINDFUL *

Try StrongBoard Balance:

Improve Balance & Tone Legs | Single Leg Curtsy Video

Improve balance with single leg curtsies on StrongBoard Balance Board are great for toning legs and strengthening the core. Give them a try, and let us know how you like it!

1. Start by placing your right leg on the center of the platform and step up, leaving your left leg suspended between the board and the floor.

2. Looking straight ahead, perform a single leg squat with your right leg, simultaneously dropping your left leg down and to your right, suspending it behind your right leg. Be sure to keep left leg extended and drive with your heel.

3. Keep your chest up and abs engaged as you raise back up into starting position.

4. Continue lifting left leg until your left thigh is perpendicular to the floor.

5. Repeat for desired amount of repetitions then repeat with the opposite leg.

Tips: Single leg exercises on StrongBoard Balance are considered novice to expert. Try single leg static poses and single leg squats before attempting to perform this exercise. For more of a challenge, drop as low as you can when doing the squat. You can also hold a pair of dumbbells to add more difficulty.

 

StrongBoard Balance utilizes MULTI SPRING TECHNOLOGY™ that works with your body to deliver the perfect amount of stimulation to keep your core musculature and stabilizing muscles engaged and contracted, while training your central nervous system, improving posture, proprioception and reaction time.

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Increase Core Strength While Working Arms & Back | Swimmers Video

Increase core strength while also working back & arms with Swimmers on StrongBoard Balance Board! It’s a great exercise for the entire body, and will definitely make you sweat! Check out StrongBoard Balance founder Mike Curry, and give it a try for a good burn!

1. Start on all fours, hovering over StrongBoard Balance. Lower your abdomen onto the platform, between the sternum and your waistline. 

2. Keep head in line with your spine and your abs engaged as you extend your arms out and move them in a breast stroke style movement.

3. Continue this motion for desired amount of repetitions with the option to alternate legs lifts with each stroke. 

Tips: For more of a challenge, when lifting feet off floor, hold for extended amounts of time and try to turn your soles into one another. Also, as you extend your arms out in front of you, slightly lift the chest to help strengthen your lower back. 

StrongBoard Balance utilizes MULTI SPRING TECHNOLOGY™ that works with your body to deliver the perfect amount of stimulation to keep your core musculature and stabilizing muscles engaged and contracted, while training your central nervous system, improving posture, proprioception and reaction time.

Order now!

Squat with Alternating Shoulder Press | Shirley’s Shoulder Shredder Video

1. Holding a 10 lb. plate (or dumbbell) with both hands, safely step up on to the StrongBoard platform.

2. Raise the plate up and over your left shoulder, as you slowly squat down into a seated position.

3. As you return to a standing position, raise the plate directly over your head.

4. This time lower the plate over your right shoulder as you slowly bend your knees back to a squat position.

5. As you return to standing, raise the plate directly over your head.

6. Repeat steps 1 – 5 for desired amount of repetitions.

Tips: Keep a slight bend in the knees when standing on the platform and performing the shoulder press. Be sure to exhale on the way up. Keep your glutes and abs fully engaged as you extend the plate over your head and shoulders. For an additional challenge, progress to a heavier plate (or dumbbell). 

This exercise is demonstrated by StrongBoard ambassador @shirleynrg. Please follow her on Instagram for daily inspiration.

StrongBoard Balance utilizes MULTI SPRING TECHNOLOGY™ that works with your body to deliver the perfect amount of stimulation to keep your core musculature and stabilizing muscles engaged and contracted, while training your central nervous system, improving posture, proprioception and reaction time.

Order now!