Discuss the importance of adequate flexibility for older adults and how stretching exercises can help


?Good range of motion is critical in older life. Muscle elasticity and bone strength both tend to decline as people age. Because of decreased flexibility, older adults lose mobility and may be unable to perform simple daily tasks such as bending forward or turning. Many older adults cannot turn their head or rotate their trunk to look over their shoulder but, rather, must step around 90-180° degrees to see behind them. Adequate flexibility is also important in driving. Individuals who lose range of motion with age are unable to look over their shoulder to switch lanes or to parallel-park, which increases the risk for automobile accidents. Physical activity and exercise can be hampered severely by lack of good range of motion. Lack of flexibility also may be a cause of falls and subsequent injury in older adults. A simple stretching program can alleviate or prevent reduced flexibility and help people return to an exercise program.

Health & Biomechanics

You might also like to view...

The nurse is mixing diluent with a powdered medication. The package directions instruct the nurse to mix 3 mL of sterile water to achieve a concentration of 4 mg/mL. The client's dose is 6 mg. How many mL will the nurse withdraw to provide to the client?

What will be an ideal response?

Health & Biomechanics

Which is not an action of cholinergic drugs?

a. Increased peristalsis c. Reduced salivation b. Lowered intraocular pressure d. Bladder contraction

Health & Biomechanics

The relative proportions of fat tissue and lean tissue in your body is called

A) the fat-to-lean ratio. B) body mass index. C) body composition. D) body constitution.

Health & Biomechanics

Inflammation of the liver is known as

A. jaundice. B. epididymitis. C. hepatitis. D. Treponema pallidum.

Health & Biomechanics