08/19/2022
How good is your balance?
The answer is important for all of us as we age, but especially critical if you have osteoporosis.
In the United States, people over age 65 account for 75 percent of all deaths caused by falls, though they represent just 13 percent of the population. Moreover, 40 percent of people over age 65 fall at least once a year.
And it’s not just seniors who are at risk of falling from poor balance. Researchers in Brazil found that middle-aged people who can’t balance on one leg are twice as likely to die early. Scientists assessed 2,000 people ages 50 to 75 and found that those who couldn’t stand on one leg for at least 10 seconds were 84 percent more likely to die within the next decade than those who could complete this "flamingo test."
When we overlay these statistics with osteoporosis, concerns increase. Falls are the No. 1 cause of hip fractures. And low bone density due to osteoporosis is a main reason that falls easily result in fracture. Additionally, if you fall once, your chance of falling again doubles.
Although those statistics are alarming, fear without action can actually make things worse.
Research shows that when people are afraid of falling, they often restrict their activities, which leads to further frailty and more falls. In other words, fear of falling becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
So, what should you do? Be proactive. Exercise to improve your balance!
Multiple highly regarded studies have shown that maintaining muscle strength and exercising to challenge your balance can effectively and significantly reduce the risk of falls.
Holly's Pilates Village Studio Owner Holly Holland has created an online workshop to give you the tools to fix your balance challenges. Holly's Build Better Balance for Osteoporosis workshop shows you how to assess your balance and develop a regular balance practice that will restore your confidence, your strength, and your stability.
For just $39, you will have ongoing access to all the resources in the online course, Build Better Balance for Osteoporosis:
Research about balance and osteoporosis and how you can improve your physical conditioning and surroundings to reduce your risk of falls
75 minutes of balance assessment and balance instruction with modifications for Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Levels
A 26-page downloadable companion guide that will show you all the steps to develop a regular balance practice at home
Although the course is designed for those who have low bone density, it is also suitable for people of all ages and conditions.
Click here to get the Build Better Balance for Osteoporosis workshop.
