As we age, loss of lower extremity strength and balance may decrease our ability to perform once routine tasks. It may have become more difficult to stand up from our favorite living room chair, rise from a low toilet seat, or get in and out of the car. Impaired strength and balance may also increase our risk of falls and subsequently increase the likelihood of sustaining an injury from a fall.
Although some changes in functional strength are expected with age, we can help combat these changes by participating in regular lower extremity strengthening and balance exercises. This blog post presents some lower extremity strengthening and balance exercises that can be performed to improve your transfers and balance.
SIT-TO-STAND STRENGTHENING EXERCISES
Sit-to-stand and squatting exercises can improve your ability to squat, stand from various surfaces, and perform stairs. The following video shows a progression of sit-to-stand exercises. Perform 2-3 sets of 10-15 repetitions: