The trunk portion of the human body houses the components that are most key to maintaining body movement and balance. This area is routinely referred to as the body’s core. It is a critical area. Most exercise regimens are greatly enhanced by including a core strengthening portion. However, while core strengthening positively impacts the entire population, it is particularly germane to the senior demographic. Seniors have aging issues that can be specifically addressed by strengthening their cores. These issues include declining coordination and balance. Without these key components to good health, seniors risk losing mobility and independence. This leads to stress and isolation and greater decline. Physical therapists and other promoters of senior health will need to assess each senior’s movement capacity for specific lacks. With this data at the ready, therapist can decide whether an individual senior client would most benefit from exercises that promote back flexibility, such as back extensions. Or, conversely, whether a senior exercise participant would most benefit from exercises like pelvic tilts to strengthen the hip extenders. The main point of a senior core training program is to build endurance and develop, or aid, in restoring the body’s ability to stabilize itself successfully. However, it is also relevant and useful to put some strength-training exercises into such programs. Pelvic tilts, planks and hip extenders are all great exercises to include in a senior core exercise regime. Reps can be kept moderate, between 12 and a dozen.
Key Takeaways:
- In humans, skeletal muscle tissue decline begins around the age of 30.
- Planks and quadrupeds are exercises that improve stability by targeting the transverse abdominis and other muscles.
- Older adults often suffer from arthritis, osteoporosis, pulmonary disease, and other conditions that trainers must consider.
“The term “core” generally refers to the structures related to the human movement system in the trunk.”
