Maintaining our coordination is a key part of staying active throughout life. And while it’s natural to experience a decline in coordination as we age, it doesn’t mean we have to resign ourselves to a sedentary lifestyle. In fact, by understanding why coordination diminishes with age and following a few guidelines to maintain it, we can enjoy an active and independent life well into our “golden” years.

What contributes to declining coordination?

Coordination involves a combination of our sensory input, our motor skills, and our cognitive processing. Some of the factors that contribute to the loss of coordination are:

• Loss of muscle mass and strength: Aging leads to a natural loss of muscle mass, known as sarcopenia, which reduces overall strength and impacts coordination.
• Reduced sensory acuity: Declining vision, hearing, and proprioception (the sense of body position) can affect our ability to perceive and respond to stimuli accurately.
• Slower information processing: As we age, cognitive processing tends to slow down, leading to delayed decision-making, decreased attention span, reduced memory and motor responses.

Tips to maintain your coordination.

Luckily you are not destined to experience losing your coordination…there are things you can do to maintain it and stay active throughout your life:

1. Regular physical activity: Use it or lose it! Engaging in regular exercise, including activities that improve balance, flexibility, and strength, is crucial for preserving coordination. Exercises such as tai chi, yoga, and resistance training can enhance stability and overall motor control.
2. Sensory stimulation: Keeping your senses sharp through activities like puzzles, reading, and listening to music can help maintain cognitive function and improve sensory perception.
3. Fall prevention: Falls are a serious concern for older adults. Create a safe environment, remove hazards, and use assistive devices, such as handrails and grab bars. By doing these types of things, you can reduce the risk of falls and maintain confidence in your movements.
4. Brain training: By engaging in mentally stimulating activities like puzzles, crosswords, and learning new skills challenges the brain, which promotes neural plasticity and improves cognitive function.
5. Healthy lifestyle choices: A well-balanced diet, sufficient hydration, and quality sleep are essential for overall health, including coordination. Proper nutrition supports muscle strength and function, while a good night’s sleep enhances cognitive abilities and reaction time.
6. Adaptive technologies: Assistive devices, such as walking aids or adaptive utensils, can compensate for any physical limitations you might have, and they can enable you to maintain independence and perform daily activities with greater ease.

While age-related decline in coordination is a natural part of the aging process, it doesn’t mean you have to accept limitations. As you understand what contributes to diminished coordination, you can implement strategies to maintain it, you can lead active and independent lives as you grow older…you can enjoy a vibrant and fulfilling life, remain in control of your body and continue to have new experiences.

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