Typically training for power is thought of as something for young athletes. However, today older adults are staying more active doing activities like tennis, golf, hiking, and dancing.  All of these require some component of power.  If you are an older adult looking to keep active, you should be doing some power training.  This article will help you start.

What is Power and How to Train with It?

Power is simply adding speed to a movement.  Power is a combination of strength and speed.   When exercising, we typically encourage slow and controlled movement.  But when you are able to control movement during an exercise, you can then add resistance, or add speed.

Why would you add speed? Say you are playing tennis and you have to move across the court for a drop shot, how do you move to get the ball? Is it slow and controlled or quick? Does it make sense to only strengthen with slow and controlled motions? Or should we think about adding some speed to the movement you are training for?

Muscles change with age and they also change with the demands you put on them. As you get older and stop doing fast movements your body will accommodate.  Is it fair to expect your body to continue to move quickly to react to a drop shot, field a ground ball, or even jump to catch a ball when playing with your grandchildren?  If you want to do these types of things, you need to train for it.

Adding Power Training to an Exercise Program

Adding power to an exercise routine is simple, and fun! You simply do a movement or exercise that you already do properly but add some speed to it. Another idea is to bounce a medicine ball or any ball that can bounce onto the ground or into a wall. Mini jump hops are also another way to add speed to a dynamic movement.

Your Physical Therapist Will Help Develop a Personalized Program

Older adults are staying active in sports for longer and longer.  Similar to any athlete, you need to train to play the sport you want to do.  A lot of the sports and activities older adults do on a daily basis are not slow and controlled. Power is something to think about with a regular workout routine no matter what age you are.

Call our office to meet with your physical therapist and develop a plan together.  The doctors of physical therapy at BSR have been helping people in Southern Ocean County move without pain since 2007.  We are here to help you.