WANT TO IMPROVE BRAIN HEALTH?
GRAB A SWORD!
THE BENEFITS OF OPEN-SKILL SPORTS 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!
COVER UP 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,
MEET DR. LESLIE MONAGLE
A New Face at North County
We’ve recently welcomed two new physical therapists to the North Country Water & Sports Therapy Center, Dr. Leslie Monagle and Dr. Christopher Talambas. We’re thrilled to have them here and want to provide a space over the coming editions for you to get to know them a little better. This month, we’re shining the spotlight on Dr. Leslie Monagle. A lifelong San Diegan, Leslie Monagle received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from San Diego State University in 2015. “Initially, I thought I wanted to be a physician,” Leslie reveals. “Once I began pursuing that goal, however, I realized the patient interaction I was looking for was lacking. I didn’t want to simply write prescriptions all day; I wanted to really get to know my patients and help them. That’s what drew me to physical therapy.” When it comes to working with patients, Leslie enjoys the variety that our practice offers. “I enjoy working with everyone from top level athletes to older adults looking to get through the day without discomfort,” she says. “Beth’s approach to running a practice is perfectly aligned with my ideals of what physical therapy can be, which is one of the reasons I was so excited to work at North County — that and the incredible staff and patients here.”
going to the beach,” she says. “I also enjoy playing the guitar, though nobody would mistake me for Jimi Hendrix.”
Leslie is community-minded and values human interaction as an integral part of the recovery process. These qualities make her a perfect fit for our practice. We’re grateful to have her on the team. The next time you’re in the office, be sure to say hello to Leslie and ask her about her favorite beaches in the area.
When she’s not working, Leslie enjoys taking advantage of all San Diego has to offer. “I love hiking, swimming, and going to the beach — especially
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