Exercise Balls, a Good Replacement for the Common Desk Chair?

Save yourself the cost of a posture-improving chair by purchasing an exercise ball? These inflatable balls require "active sitting" and may improve your posture by strengthening your core muscles.

But they may also cause you discomfort. You might not have enough space under your desk. There are no armrests. You may not be able to reach other items at your work station. And you may fall.

A better option is to choose a chair of good ergonomic design--with an adjustable back, seat and armrests. Wheels help too.

Make sure you vary your position, lean back, stand up and move around.

Stroke: Exercise at Home For Less

In one of the largest stroke rehabilitation studies in the U.S., stroke patients with physical therapy exercise program at home improved just as much as those using expensive exercise equipment.

Home exercise programs require less expense, less training for the therapist, and less staff.

It was previously assumed that recovery can occur early and can get no better after 6 months. The study indicated that patients can continue to improve up to 1 year after a stroke.

Exercise, Vitamin D Tied to Fewer Falls

Falls are the leading cause of death, disability and loss of independence for people 65 and older.

According to a new review of 54 studies and 26,000 participants in the United States, exercise that includes balance, strength, flexibility, weight training and general physical activity reduces the risk of falling by 13%.

Vitamin D supplementation reduces the risk of falling by 17%.

Walking Is Great For Everyone--Or Is It?

By now we all should have learned that walking is the preferred exercise for older adults. Easy, right? Not for the folks that have suffered common walking injuries.

If you get blisters, make sure that your shoes or socks are not rubbing against your skin. Keep the blisters covered with an adhesive bandage.

If shin splints plague you, avoid hilly terrain. Elevate your legs and apply ice. If all else fails, try water aerobics.

Ill-fitting or worn-out shoes may be causing pain in the ball of your foot. Try ice and orthotics to reduce stress on the area.

Wear shoes that give proper support or you might develop Achilles tendonitis. Get rest and use orthotic devices to elevate the heel.

Either take a hiatus until your foot has heeled or decrease the duration and intensity of your walking routine.

Walking the Smart Way: Seniors Advised

Walk the right way--as instructed by the UC Berkeley May, 2008, Wellness Letter. You can get more out of your walking workouts when you:

• Walk briskly for a half hour every day or for 1 hour 4 days a week
• Walk often
• Use a pedometer for motivation
• Swing your arms
• Speed up every 5 minutes for 1-2 minutes
• Walk up and down hills
• Walk on different surfaces like grass or gravel
• Try using a walking stick or pole
• Use hand weights (start with 1 pounders)
• Try walking backwards
• Choose the right shoes

For more on walking, visit 50somethinginfo.com.