If walking is good for your health, walking in pairs would be even better for the elderly.
- Walking is a very beneficial physical exercise for seniors
- Practicing walking in pairs limits the risk of falling
- Elderly falls are responsible for 12,000 deaths each year
Walking is life, but walking together is even better! Walking with a young person can prevent falls among the elderly, responsible for 12,000 deaths and 100,000 hospitalizations each year. These accidents are also factors of fragility and isolation. Researchers, in conjunction with the Montpellier hospital, have highlighted the benefits of these accompanied walks, as revealed by France 2.
Improved balance, stamina and speed
Several seniors participated in a study aimed at restoring their walking and strengthening their balance. This consists of walking one hour, three times a week, arm in arm with a young person accompanying, coordinating the two strides. Sensors are placed on the soles of seniors to record a whole host of data to measure the effects of these steps.
After three weeks, the exercises showed beneficial effects. “I feel better balanced”, admits Régine Caly, 83, finishing her lap with her companion. The latter also notes that Régine, after three weeks of training around a track, completes one lap more than before, over the same walking time. A notable improvement which denotes his gain in form. “They all improve their endurance, their balance and they all have higher walking speeds”observes Samar Ezzina, doctoral student in Human Movement Sciences, who analyzes the data provided by connected insoles.
Benefits not eternal
Only downside, the benefits observed after three weeks of accompanied walking are not eternal. Although they are found within a month after stopping exercise, even when the elderly are alone, then they begin to decrease. The best solution, note the researchers, would be to organize regular workshops to enable seniors to be healthier.
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