Forever Young

Forever Young: Secrets of the Older Mind

Two of our biggest fears as we age are falling and/or losing our mental capacity, both can rob us of our independence and dignity.  It is no longer believed that cognitive decline is inevitable and it’s now known that fall risk can be minimized with proactive training.

The brain needs resistance training and overload, just like our skeletal muscles and regular mental exercise will increase performance and cognition.  Research shows, that with proper stimulation, the brain keeps developing well into middle age and beyond and does not stop growing after the age of thirty as previous thought.

Studies found that normally sedentary older adults who walked at a moderate pace three times a week for a year boosted the size of the brain region involved with memory.  That twice a week resistance training helped women with mild signs of mental decline improve their scores on thinking and memory tests.  Exercise done for strength and balance was shown to also improve memory.

The risk of falling increased 300% in the year after a fall has occurred with 1.5 million falls occurring per year.  Due to either their embarrassment or their fear of loss independence, 80% of falls go unreported.

If independent living and a high level of functional ability is your goal you must get out of your chair and on your feet.  You must walk, carry things, weight shift, react, respond, slow down and stop all while staying balanced and upright.

This is where Leash Your Fitness can help you defy the aging process. We have a wide variety of classes and events for all ages.  These will get you up moving and thinking all while having fun.  We incorporate cardio, strength, BALANCE, yoga, agility and dog obedience all in one nonstop hour.  Yes, dog obedience. We are the only fitness program in San Diego and East County where your dog is your workout partner.

**Guy Andrews, MA, CSCS, Executive Director of Exercise ETC- Brains and Balance Past 60.