[For Seniors] Balance-Training Exercises: Preventing Falls
As balance decreases with age, the risk of falls increases and daily life can be affected.
However, by consistently doing appropriate balance training, you can improve your body’s stability and prevent falls!
This time, we’ll introduce balance-training exercises that older adults can do without strain.
From simple chair-based movements to standing exercises, we’ll show safe methods you can practice with confidence.
Make them part of your daily routine and aim for a body that moves with ease and peace of mind!
- [For Seniors] Core Training: Recommended Simple Rehabilitation
- [For Seniors] Fun and Easy! Fall-Prevention Exercises for Older Adults
- [For Seniors] Stretching Exercises: Easy and Safe to Do
- [For Seniors] Easy and Fun Core Training
- [For Seniors] Recreational activities and games that let you have fun while strengthening your legs
- [For Seniors] Fun Exercises You Can Do While Seated
- [For Seniors] Recommended Muscle Training Gear. Simple and Easy
- For seniors: Leg-strengthening exercises you can do without overexertion.
- [For Seniors] Strengthen Your Legs! Recommended Training Items
- [For Seniors] Recommended Easy Strength Training
- [For Seniors] Enjoyable and Healthy Chair Stretches!
- [For Seniors] Leg and lower-back training: Fall prevention
- [Seated] Fun Health Exercises for Older Adults and Seniors
[For Older Adults] Balance Training Exercises. Fall Prevention (21–30)
Seated back-strengthening exercise
If you’re an older adult with lower back pain, be sure to strengthen your back muscles.
When the back muscles weaken, they can’t support your posture, which can lead to a rounded back and back pain.
Sit in a chair and reach one hand upward from near the toes on the opposite side.
Then lift your hand as if turning your chest up toward the ceiling.
Do this on both sides, but adjust the number of repetitions according to the individual’s condition.
You can also try stretching your back while raising both arms overhead.
Since these exercises are done while seated, it should be easier to keep up with the training consistently.
Pilates exercise to move the back
It’s easy to go about your day without paying much attention to your back, and you might be losing strength there without noticing.
This is a training routine that brings awareness to the back and strengthens it in coordination with the arms and shoulders, incorporating elements of Pilates.
The basics are to focus on the shoulder blades and perform movements that engage the shoulders, while also maintaining posture so the shoulder blades can move properly.
If you’ve never really paid attention to this area before, it can be hard to grasp how to move your shoulders.
So it’s best to start by moving slowly and checking your shoulder motion first.
[For Older Adults] Balance-Training Exercises: Fall Prevention (31–40)
Simple back exercises you can do while sitting
When people hear the word “training,” they may imagine something that puts a strain on the body and shy away from it.
This is a simple back exercise, done while seated, that I especially recommend for those who have a negative image of training.
The method is to sit and lean your upper body slightly forward, then hold that position.
With correct posture, even this alone engages your back muscles.
It’s also important to use your arms properly to keep your forward-leaning posture straight.
Gluteus medius training
As we get older, it inevitably becomes harder to maintain our balance.
For older adults who feel their balance has been declining lately, I recommend training the gluteus medius.
You can do it standing, and it’s a routine you can continue without overexertion, so it’s reassuring.
Strengthening the mid-gluteal area helps stabilize your walking and can reduce the risk of falls.
The exercises I’m introducing today can be done a little each day, so they’re easy on the body.
Hold onto a chair or something stable, and move one leg at a time.
Exercises to strengthen your body’s core
For older adults, falls can easily lead to injuries and are very dangerous.
To prevent falling, it’s important to regularly train your balance.
The exercises introduced here strengthen your body’s central axis, helping stabilize balance when standing and walking, which can reduce the risk of falls.
If your body’s axis is weak, your back tends to round, which can cause a hunched posture and lower back pain.
By strengthening the core, your spine naturally straightens, helping you maintain proper posture and making your body less prone to fatigue.
These exercises can be done while seated, so they’re recommended for anyone.
Exercises to strengthen the core
Older adults want to stay healthy and energetic for as long as possible, don’t they? Some may think that means they have to do intense exercise.
In particular, core training is important for improving balance.
People often assume strengthening the abdominal muscles is difficult, but this exercise can be done easily while seated without overexertion.
By slowly moving your arms and legs, you can do simple core workouts at home.
It helps improve posture and can also prevent falls.
Seated Balance Exercises
Some older adults may feel that training their balance is too challenging.
For those people, we recommend this seated balance exercise.
Because it’s done while sitting, it’s reassuring even for those who aren’t good at exercise.
Although it’s a seated workout, the key is to pay attention to your posture and how you sit.
Tilt your pelvis upright and stretch your back firmly as you perform the movements.
In addition to improving balance, it also promotes blood circulation, providing a refreshing effect for both body and mind.
Be mindful of your mental well-being as you incorporate it, too.