• Did You Know?
  • Mobility

The Importance of Staying Mobile

  • Did You Know?
  • Mobility

Mobility is the ability to move freely and easily, and it plays a major role in maintaining a high quality of life. It’s not just about getting from point A to point B – it’s an essential part of most everyday activities, from walking and climbing stairs to simply getting out of bed. [1][2]

What Does Mobility Really Mean?

Mobility involves more than just moving around – it requires:

  • Moving the body in the desired direction
  • Maintaining stability against gravity and other forces
  • Adapting movements to different environments
  • Using energy efficiently to sustain activity levels [3]

To maintain mobility as we age, it's important to focus on flexibility, posture, balance, strength, and stamina. Healthy bones provide the structure for muscles to move, and good joints allow for smooth, easy movement. [4] Together, these factors contribute to maintaining our ability to stay mobile throughout life.

How Nutrition and Exercise Help Keep You Mobile

Nutrition and exercise work together to support your mobility. Regular physical activity doesn’t just strengthen bones – it also improves muscle performance and joint movement. These improvements help enhance flexibility, balance, posture, strength, and stamina, all of which are key to staying active and independent.

The good news? Staying active doesn’t mean you have to commit to formal exercise routines. Simple daily activities – like walking, gardening, or even cleaning – can all help keep you mobile.

The Bottom Line: Stay Active, Stay Mobile

Whether it’s through structured exercise or just moving around more in your daily life, staying mobile is essential for long-term health and independence. By focusing on flexibility, balance, strength, and stamina, along with good nutrition, you can maintain your mobility and enjoy an active lifestyle for years to come.

Sources:

1. Netuveli, G.; Wiggins, R. D.; Hildon, Z.; Montgomery, S. M.; Blane, D. Quality of life at older ages: evidence from the English longitudinal study of aging (wave 1). Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health 2006, 60, 357-363.

2. Frank, J. S.; Patla, A. E. Balance and mobility challenges in older adults - Implications for preserving community mobility. American Journal of Preventive Medicine 2003, 25, 157-163.

3. Patla, A. E., Neurobiomechanical bases for the control of human locomotion. In Neurobiomechanical bases for the control of human locomotion., Arnold, Ed. London, 1996, pp 19-40.

4. MacKinnon, P.; Morris, J., Oxford Textbook of Functional Anatomy: Volume 1: Musculo-skeletal System 2005, Vol. 1.

5 .Specker, B. L. Evidence for an interaction between calcium intake and physical activity on changes in bone mineral density. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research 1996, 11, 1539-1544.