By Glen Wood
With old age says scientists, yoga exercises done gently can cut the risk of falls being painful.
With as little as only two months of yoga classes, women who took part in the program for the over 65's found that they had improved muscle strength, balance and flexibility with the result of any falls less likely and when falls did take place the recovery rate was much quicker.
They also felt more confident and had a more positive attitude the study found in the United States.
Figures show that falls are one of the most common causes of death in the over 75's. The study also showed that half of the women die within two years of a fall.
Dr Jinsup Song researcher of the Temple University in Philadelphia said that at the end of the nine week course the women's walking speed, strength and balance all improved along with flexibility and confidence. This also helped the women maintain their mobility and independence.
He said: There was also a pronounced difference in how pressure was distributed on the bottom of the foot, which maintains balance". It was shown that they had improved muscle strength which helps with stability and balance.
One of the participants, Maryanne Brow, said "I feel more centered now with more confidence when I walk".
Another benefit discovered which was unforeseen was that during the course the participants found they had a better outlook. Also the class gave them something to look forward to.
Other studies showed alarming fracture statistics, persuasive advertising, and conscientious physicians are directing millions of the worlds "worried well" to osteoporosis testing and on to preventive medication.
There is no mention of the important role that regular physical activity can play in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and reducing risk of hip fractures. Several systematic reviews of the effects of exercise on postmenopausal osteoporosis have shown an increase in bone mineral density.
"If you prevent falls, you prevent fractures," Grabiner said. Instead, the key is preventing falls before they happen, according to researchers like Mark Grabiner, head of the movement sciences department at the University of Illinois at Chicago, who studies how people fall. Fall Prevention for Seniors: Injuries from falls are significant among the elderly population, and the risk only increases with increasing age.
After nine weeks of participating in an Iyengar yoga program designed for senior citizens, 24 elderly females had a faster stride, an increased flexibility in the lower extremities, an improved single-leg stance and increased confidence in walking and balance, according to the findings of researchers at Temple University's Gait Study Centre.
This randomized controlled trial compared the benefits of yoga, conventional therapeutic exercise, and a self-care book for chronic low back pain. Women who are drawn to Yoga practice, and build a long-term practice, may experience significant benefits not seen in this six-week intervention.
Conclusions: a training that improves functional balance does prevent falls.
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