The Benefits of Open-Skill Sports Want to Improve Brain Health? Grab a Sword!
D id 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.” to prepare for major life events, such as marriage, the birth of a child, retirement, moving, and more. On the flip side of that coin, accidents, injuries, and even death can happen in the blink of an eye. We may have little notice and no way to prepare ourselves emotionally or financially. When you have important legal documents and financial information at your disposal in the days and weeks following the incapacitation or loss of a loved one, you are a step ahead. You face less stress and are in a place to help other family members avoid mistakes that may be irreversible later on. It is just as important, however, to discuss legal and financial matters before anything happens. This is before the onset of illness or incapacity, the diagnosis of dementia or mental incompetence, or death. Having this discussion helps you and your family know the following:
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!
THE POWEROF COMMUNICATION The Discussion You Need to Have With Your Family
One of the most important functions of trusts and wills is to keep family members in the loop. These documents effectively communicate crucial details and next steps. They provide stability in a time when stability is much-needed. Take a step back and consider other life events. Throughout our lives, we have the benefit of time — that is to say, time
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The directives (including living wills) that specify wanted and unwanted procedures and do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders. These documents should be readily available for you to take to the hospital if a loved one is admitted. marriage certificates, Social Security information, life-insurance policies, financial documents, keys to a safety deposit box, etc. It’s also a good idea to inform grown children or another trusted individual about the location of important documents in the event of an accident or illness while traveling. Your wishes and preferences regarding funeral arrangements, organ donation, burial or cremation, and more. The location of wills, trust documents, birth certificates,
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