Coordination Exercises for Aging

If you have read any of our blog, you may have noticed that we have talked a lot about the importance continuing to exercise as we age to avoid falls, breaking bones, lack of balance and the chance of chronic diseases. But what is also very important for older adults to engage in is coordination exercises to work on balance and agility.

Balance and agility helps to improve motor coordination and memory. As we age, our memory decreases, so it is important to train our bodies for the activities of daily living. Motor coordination is necessary for simple and complex tasks such as walking, cleaning and go up and down the stairs. Below you will find some simple exercises that work on coordination that do not require much equipment, so they can easily be done at home. 

Common Coordination Exercises to Work On:

• Hand and eye coordination
• Hand and foot coordination
• Eye and foot coordination
• Reaction to cue
• Combination of all of the above

Coordination Exercises

• Standing balance with ball toss: hand eye coordination
• Beginners, keep both feet on the floor and intermediate balance on one leg 

• Use a tennis ball, and toss the ball into each hand. The eyes should follow the ball. If performing a balance exercise, complete a set with each leg balancing.

• Walk, toss and catch: hand eye coordination and hand foot coordination

• Walk back and forth while bouncing a tennis ball or something similar back and forth. If the ball is bounced too far in front,you must react with more effort in order to catch the ball. 

• Squats with focal point challenges: hand eye coordination
• Start in an upright standing position with feet hip distance apart. Lift arms to shoulder height and extend the wrists with fingers facing the ceiling. 

• Find a focal point on the wall or the floor in front of you. Perform a squat as your right arm moves to the side of your body (rotating the torso) while focusing on the focal point. Return the torso and arm to the center standing position. 

• Next, perform the same movement on the left side. Alternate moving the right and left arms as you squat.