What is functional mobility?
FUNCTIONAL MOBILITY – ITS FOR LIFE AND YOUR NEXT 30 YEARS POST MENOPAUSE!!
What is Functional Mobility??
Broadly defined functional mobility is a person’s physiological ability to participate in their activities of daily living safely and independently. Movement can occur safely and effectively through a variety of environments, accomplish functional activities, operate at home, at work and in the community.
Functional mobility in an exercise sense can also refer to a person’s ability to move their joints through an effective range of movement. This is also important to be able to perform functional mobility as outlined in the first definition.
So, what does this mean in plain English?
It means you are able to move your body as a whole complete synchronised unit to be able to effectively and safely do all the things you need to do.
Can you still get up off the couch without groaning? Can you bend down to the floor to fetch something out from under the couch and get up again? Can you walk up and down all the stairs you need to to enter your home or workplace? Can you carry your groceries without becoming excessively tired or fatigued? Can you push a trolley? Can you lift your washing basket? Can you tend to your garden, ride your bike, carry a ladder and climb up it?
Many daily tasks that require our bodies to maintain a certain level of function.
During Menopause a female’s joints can stiffen due to reducing estrogen levels over time.
Other things that can impact on functional mobility during Menopause are changes in balance, changes in eyesight, fatigue levels, reduced activity and increased sedentary behaviour, certain medications, increased weight gain around the middle.
What can help counteract a decline in functional mobility? EXERCISE!! Either by ensuring you keep up your current activity levels/exercise/sport (use it or lose it has never been more appropriate!) or starting, where you are, with an appropriately prescribed and graded exercise program from an exercise specialist.
Our community here has a number of specialists in their field you already know of from our collaborative community and Blog pieces. Clinics Australia wide with access to skilled Exercise Physiologists who are the best placed allied health professional to assist with exercise prescription. Some even offer on-line services if you are unable to get to a clinic (myself included).
If you feel like your function has declined and you would like help to be able to manage this, please reach out! You can reach us via PM or email or have a look at our webpage (all in links on the main page here)