WSJ: How Exercise Can Help Older Drivers
HA! another vote for the benefits of exercise!!!
The right workout can help with problem areas like turning to check blind spots
SAFE DRIVING Most people don’t associate exercise and fitness with driving their cars. But a study from the AgeLab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Hartford Center for Mature Market Excellence, part of Hartford Financial Services Group, HIG -0.66% indicates that certain workouts can help individuals age 50-plus drive longer and safer.
Researchers found that older drivers have greater difficulties than younger adults with several physical aspects of driving, including turning their head and body to look to the rear when backing up; getting in and out of their cars; and turning their head to check blind spots when changing lanes.
Working with a group of older drivers for eight to 10 weeks, 15 to 20 minutes a day, the research team identified four types of exercise—involving strength training, range of motion (pictured: a back stretch), flexibility and coordination—that helped alleviate those problem areas.
The bottom line: Want to hang on to your car keys? Get off the couch.
To learn more go tothehartford.com/lifetime and click on: Exercise for Drivers.
Chez Froggie 