First Brains and Balance Class of 2019 is the Best in My Career

I just completed my first four-week Brains and Balance Training session of 2019 and the post-testing scores showed the most improvement in the fifteen years I've been teaching fall prevention classes!



I am so proud of the eleven adults who came to the classes at the Fair Oaks United Methodist Church and put in the work to improve lower body strength, lower body flexibility and dynamic balance to reduce risk of falling.  In other words, they got stronger, more flexible, and better balance for quicker reaction speeds.

Brain-based training is a new approach to an old problem; loss of balance and falls.  This diverse group of older adults were willing to try sensory activation and muscle training and the results were amazing.  Their ages ranged from 59 to 82 and one used a walker for mobility while another walks four miles daily.  

After eight sessions in four weeks, four people improved lower body strength by 5.  In other words, four people were able to stand up and sit down five more times in 30 seconds.   That's an amazing improvement in such a short time that translates into reduced risk of falling. 

The most improved participant was a 66 year old frequent faller.  On the first day, she couldn't touch her toes; her hand was nearly 7 inches from her feet.  On the last day, this amazing woman reached 6 inches past her toes in the same test!  She gained over 11 and a half inches in lower body flexibility.  That is a new record for ANY STUDENT in my fifteen year career.  Congratulations! 

Two other students improved their lower body flexibility over three inches.  Lower body flexibility is necessary for a safe and stable walking gait and tight hamstrings are directly related to low back pain.  No more back pain!!!

The third senior fitness test measures dynamic balance and agility.  This is a life skill needed for safe movement through life so you can react timely to life's imbalances.   The youngest student of the group increased her timed Up and Go test by seven full seconds!  The oldest student of the class improved her time and walked stronger and more steady without using an assistive device.  

These  pre-and post Senior Fitness Test  numbers show objective, measurable data.  This data is invaluable to students who put in the work and do not realize how much they've improved.  What isn't measured is the improvements in posture, vision, reaction times and confidence.

Balance is difficult to measure.  These numbers don't lie.  How you feel is proof.  Get enrolled in a Brains and Balance Class or enroll your loved ones.  Invest in your future.