WANT TO IMPROVE BRAIN HEALTH? Grab a Sword! THE BENEFITS OF OPEN-SKILL SPORTS Did you know fencing is making a comeback? No longer just for heartsick gentlemen of the Regency era, fencing is increasingly being taught in public schools, displayed in the pages of popular indie comics, and practiced among seniors. Plenty of baby boomers are picking up swords, or “sabers” — and it’s not because they’re preparing to fight dragons. Exercise is important no matter your age, but some activities are more beneficial than others. Research published in the journal Psychology of Sport and Exercise (PSE) suggests activities defined as “open-skill sports,” like fencing, can do more to improve brain health than “closed-skill sports.” Open or Closed? The difference between an open-skill sport and a closed-skill sport lies in the dynamic nature of the activity. Going for a jog is great for your heart health, but your body is doing the same thing during the entire workout. This makes it a closed-skill sport. The same goes for swimming; you might have different strokes to choose from when you jump in the pool, but your brain is focused on repeating the action while doing your laps. Open-skill sports require players to respond to unpredictable circumstances in unpredictable ways. Fencing is a great open-skill sport because, while you have to learn the right way to hold the saber and move your body, you also have to think on your feet and react quickly to your opponent’s attacks. Researchers from the Foro Italico University of Rome believe that it’s the required adaptability that makes open-skill sports so good for your brain. You challenge your body with complex motor movements and your mind with fast decisions. In the study from PSE, the researchers reported that “the open-skill athletes used less brainpower to do the same thing than the closed-skill exercisers did.” What’s the Best Open-Skill Sport? If fencing isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other great open-skill sports, including tennis, badminton, basketball, and racquetball. What are you waiting for? Swing by your local rec center and find out what open-skill sport will be your new favorite pastime!
DENTAL TECHNOLOGY TREATMENT ffordable, We Provide the Best for Our Patients
When you walk into a dentist’s office with a toothache, you’d rather not wait to know why you’re in pain. You may get an X-ray of your mouth, but those can take a while, and the images may not be as clear as you’d like. A dentist can also look inside your mouth with a small mirror, but those are often hard to see. Intraoral cameras eliminate the waiting time and give both patients and dentists a clear image of what the issue is. Intraoral cameras are pen-sized tools used to provide a close-up of your teeth, revealing tooth decay, disease, cracks, cavities, or cancerous lesions that X-rays or other examinations can miss. The cameras take pictures of your teeth and increase the image up to 40 times their original size. Getting such a close view of your teeth provides a better view of the area and an easier diagnosis of the issues that may have otherwise gone undetected. The intraoral cameras also create a chance for better patient-team interactions. Without the use of the camera, patients may have to go hours or even days without knowing what the problem is. With the intraoral cameras, while the dentist examines your teeth, the clear image will be displayed simultaneously, and the dentist can educate you about your health. They can also point out areas of concern and explain different treatment options. In addition to creating a better relationship with your dentist and getting to know the problem you’re facing, intraoral cameras are excellent for record keeping. The images taken at your dentist appointment can be easily printed and filed. This creates easy access so your dentist can track your treatments and progress over the years, and the images can be submitted to boost insurance claims as well. At Elite Smiles, we use state-of-the-art diagnostic technology not only for benefits of the dentists, but for all our patients. We use intraoral cameras to give our clients the best treatment options we can offer. Contact Elite Smiles today at 904-201-3806 to learn more about how our services can help you regain a beautiful smile.
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