PHILADEPHIA (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- It's known for putting body, mind and
spirit into balance. Now, researchers say one form of yoga may help prevent the
elderly from taking a fall.
Maryann Brown hoped yoga would relieve pain in her hips and back. After several
months of regular classes, this senior found an added bonus -- she’s steadier on
her feet.
“Now, I’m feeling much more confident … especially going down steeper stairs,”
Brown told Ivanhoe.
Balance is crucial for the elderly. One in three people over age 65 fall every
year. About 15 thousand seniors die from fall-related injuries.
Researchers at Temple University’s School of Podiatric Medicine examined 24
elderly women enrolled in a yoga program.
They measured each participant on a special runway equipped with a pressure
platform and force plate. The gait lab precisely records foot and leg movement.
The women participated in twice weekly classes of Iyengar yoga -- a class that
uses chairs and other props for body placement. After nine weeks, there were
significant changes.
“People had greater range of motion of their lower extremities” Jinsup Song,
D.P.M., Ph.D., director of the Gait Study Center at Temple University in
Philadelphia, Penn., told Ivanhoe.
Participants walked faster and had longer strides. Researchers also noted a
change in weight distribution on the womens’ feet -- one that was better for
balance. All of these changes potentially offset the loss of coordination as
people age.
Researchers also found participants stood about one centimeter taller after
taking part in the yoga classes. They believe the findings could also help men.
They only used women in the study because they are more likely to suffer fall
injuries. Longer follow-up studies are needed to confirm their findings.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Emilie Zoltick
Research Coordinator
Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine
Philadelphia, PA
(215) 625-5365
ezoltick@tuspm.temple.edu
