Are Canadians losing their ability to move? Here are some highlights of a study by the Canadian Physiotherapy Association, from the Directions in Physiotherapy.
A majority of Canadians (54%) believe they are less mobile today than 10 years ago. Overall satisfaction with mobility declines with age, especially after age 55. Most Canadians believe their physical mobility is at least the same as that of their peers. However, Canadian women report more difficulty with tasks like climbing stairs or walking more than one kilometre, compared to men of the same age. Many Canadians say they cannot easily complete one or more of the 10 mobility tasks tested in the study:
66% have difficulty with vigorous activities.
37% have difficulty climbing several flights of stairs
28% have difficulty bending or stooping
24% Have difficulty walking one kilometre
SO, WHAT CAN WE DO??
Become
S M A R T !!!
Stretch: Before, during and after activity
Stretch - as a warm up, as a break during repetitive activities and as a cool down after activities - helps you move easily, keeps your muscles flexible and relaxed, your joints mobile, and relieves tension and strain.
Move: Today for Tomorrow.
Get moving, Stay Moving, For Life. Find activities you enjoy. Walking and gardening are two ways to get your whole body in motion.
Add It Up: An Hour is Power
To maintain your mobility, make every movement count. Add up everything you do in a day and aim for a minimum of 60 minutes of movement. To gain mobility, plan activities throughout your day that keep you moving for periods of at least 10 minutes. Aim for a minumum of 60 minutes of activities daily
Reduce Strain: Use tools that work for you.
Tools - such as computers and keyboards, purses and backpacks, gardening tools and equipment - are meant to ease work, not cause strain. Take measures to fit your tools to you, not you to the tools.
Talk to a Physiotherapist:
Physiotherapists are health care professionals dedicated to enhancing and restoring your mobility. Their unique contribution comes from understanding how the body moves, what keeps it moving and how to restore your mobility.
You can find out how you measure up against other canadians by taking the Mobility Quiz on the Canadian Physiotherapy Association web site at www.physiotherapy.ca
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