THE BENEFITS OF OPEN-SKILL SPORTS Want to Improve Brain Health? Grab a Sword!
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!
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.
SERVICE HIGHLIGHT HIP YOURSELF TO RELIEF Physical Therapy for Hip Pain
hurry. Physical therapy can put you back in action. If you’re suffering from hip pain, give Advance Physical Therapy a call today.
hip femoroacetabular impingement (FAI). Pain on the side of the hip is usually the result of bursitis or tendonitis. In severe cases, we’ve even seen patients who are unaware they are suffering from a labral tear. In the event of a major tear, surgery may be required to correct the problem, but physical therapy on its own is effective for all but the most major hip injuries. At Advance Physical Therapy, we individualize each treatment plan based on the needs of the patient. That said, you can expect flexibility and range of motion exercises to be part of your treatment program. We will also focus on teaching sound body mechanics so that you minimize the risk of a repeat injury. As proper hip movement is essential to basic functional activities like walking, running, sitting, and standing, hip pain can slow your roll in a
Talk to anybody who suffers from hip pain and they’ll tell you that it can be extremely debilitating. You may not think your hips are as crucial to mobility as your arms and shoulders or as central to bearing weight as your back, but they are essential for body mechanics. In addition to being the meeting place for your femur and pelvis, your hip is home to many ligaments and muscles. Pain in your hip can affect your daily life, keep you from your favorite hobbies, and hamper your quality of life. Luckily, physical therapy can prove very useful in treating hip issues. Because hip pain can come from a variety of sources, it’s important to precisely diagnose the cause of your discomfort. Usually, we begin by conducting a simple test to pinpoint the location of your pain. Often, pain felt in the back of your hips is the result of a lower back issue. Pain on the front of the hip may result from arthritis or a
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