Our bodies were made for moving!

Agility is the ability to move your body quickly, easily and with control and balance. Exercises that help improve agility will specifically train balance, coordination, range of motion, speed of movement & strength.  Your level of agility can improve with practice and increase your ability to remain independent.  The level of agility can vary with age, stage in life and general health status. Examples of good agility are playing ball (kick or catch) with your grandchildren, participating in a dance class, hiking on trails, manoeuvering down a crowded street or hallway with your walker or cane, or simply being able to get up off the floor. A recent study found that the ability (or inability) to rise from the floor was a significant predictor of mortality in 51 to 80 year olds (De Brito & colleagues, 2013).

Senior’s balance and coordination

Many seniors develop issues with balance and coordination as they age:

  • Reaction time increases – processing speed & movements are slower (it takes us longer to react to a change)
  • Coordination is more difficult mainly due to lack of practice
  • Muscle strength decreases
  • Joint flexibility & range of motion decrease
  • The risk of falls increases due to the onset of the above mentioned changes

Improve your agility now!

Participating in an exercise program like the Workout Studio at Cummings Centre can help improve your level of agility. A well designed exercise program in our Studio can offset the changes listed above. So get on your feet and make your way over to our gym!

– Annette Vezina, Wellness, Cummings Centre

The Cummings Centre’s mission is to empower and enhance the quality of life of adults age 50 and over by providing dynamic and innovative programs, social services, and volunteer opportunities in a vibrant, respectful, inclusive and compassionate environment. Building on its Jewish heritage, Cummings embraces people from all ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.

As the hub of Montreal’s 50+ community, the Centre touches the lives of 10,000 people on an annual basis. In addition to its main campus at 5700 Westbury Avenue in Montreal, programs are offered at several off-site locations including the West Island, Cote Saint-Luc, St.Laurent, Westmount, Chomedey and Florida.

For more information, please contact us by phone at 514-343-3510, online at www.cummingscentre.org or in person at 5700 Westbury Avenue.