Core Strength: A Game-Changer for Healthy Aging

There are many wonderful and many challenging changes that come with aging.  Some of the changes are obvious while others are more subtle.  One aspect of aging affecting Halifax seniors that isn’t often discussed is the gradual loss of core strength. The core, comprising the muscles in our abdomen, lower back, pelvis, and hips, is the foundation of our body. It’s the link that connects our upper and lower body, ensuring our body can work efficiently and comfortably. Here are three reasons Halifax seniors should consider incorporating core strengthening into your regular routine to optimize your safety, health and comfort.

Improved Balance and Stability

As Halifax seniors age, balance can become compromised, leading to an increased risk of falls. 33% of adults over the age of 65 fall every year; falls are the leading cause of injuries among older adults.  The core muscles stabilize the spine, pelvis, and shoulder girdle, creating a solid base of support that improve the ability to maintain balance. This allows Halifax seniors to move their bodies in any direction, even on an uneven terrain, without falling. By strengthening the core, Halifax seniors can significantly reduce the risk of falls, ensuring a safer and more independent life as they age.

Reduced Back Pain

Lower back pain is a common ailment among Halifax seniors; 80% of adults will experience at least one episode of acute back pain in their lifetime.  When the core muscles are weak, they can struggle to provide adequate support to the spine during every day activities and movements requiring heavier exertion. This can lead Halifax seniors to have acute and chronic injuries to the muscles, joints and connective tissues.  By strengthening the core, we provide better support to the spine, reducing the risk of injury and pain. When Halifax seniors are comfortable, they are more likely to live a healthy active lifestyle engaged in the activities they love for longer.

Enhanced Functional Fitness

Functional fitness refers to the ability to perform everyday activities with ease, from getting out of bed to lifting groceries. When the core muscles weaken, functional fitness often worsens.  The core muscles are responsible for creating efficiency in effort in almost every movement we make.  When this system isn’t working well, it becomes more effortful for Halifax seniors to do these daily tasks.  By maintaining good core strength, everyday activities are not as taxing and there is more energy leftover for social and leisure activities.

Choosing core strengthening exercises that are safe and appropriate is easiest for Halifax seniors if they have an individual professional assessment from a healthcare provider like a physiotherapist.  These are not a “one size fits all” solution and there are a number of factors that need to be considered to determine which core strengthening exercises benefit each person maximally while minimizing the risk of harm.

While aging is a natural process, how we age is, to a large extent, under our control. Incorporating core strengthening work is one way that Halifax seniors can help ensure they maintain a high quality of life and comfort well into their later years.