"Our balance relies on three key systems working together: our inner ear, our vision, and something called proprioception (basically, our body's sense of where it is in space). After 55, all three start to decline. Think of it like a three-legged stool. When we're younger, all three legs are sturdy. Even if one wobbles a bit, the other two compensate."
"But as we age, all three legs start to weaken simultaneously. Your inner ear becomes less sensitive to movement. Your vision gets a bit fuzzy, especially in low light. And those proprioceptors in your muscles and joints? They're not sending signals as quickly or accurately as they used to. The muscles themselves change too. We lose muscle mass naturally as we age, particularly in our core and legs."
Balance commonly worsens after age 55 because the inner ear, vision, and proprioception all decline. These three systems normally compensate for each other, but simultaneous weakening reduces stability. Age-related muscle mass loss in the core and legs further undermines balance. Everyday tasks like stepping off curbs or exiting showers become hazardous without stronger stability. Typical advice such as single-leg stands or heel-to-toe walking addresses symptoms but may miss underlying causes. A single, simple exercise exists that can improve these systems and restore functional balance without special equipment or a gym.
Read at Silicon Canals
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