Why juggling?

Why juggling?

Juggling is a skill that involves manipulating objects like balls, rings, or clubs in a continuous and controlled manner. The innovative aspect of the proposed training (new methods consistent with the intended theme) lies in the use of preparatory exercises for juggling. These exercises aim to improve motor-visual coordination, activate the cerebellum for increasingly precise movements, enhance concentration, synchronize the right and left sides of the brain, increase brain activity, and improve memory and mood, which can ultimately help in the prevention of falls.

Preparatory exercises for juggling and juggling itself require precise and coordinated movements, which can improve motor coordination and, as a result, balance. All these factors together can contribute to the improvement of balance in individuals who regularly perform these exercises.

The training, which includes learning how to conduct classes using preparatory exercises for juggling, will enable the performance of complex spatial and temporal movements. This allows for quick transitioning between different motor tasks and solving new, unexpected motor situations related to maintaining balance and requiring quick reaction times. This training model aims to prevent falls.

Juggling as a regular activity can impact balance through the improvement of static balance, as these exercises require constant control over the body, improving the ability to maintain a stable body position.

Here are some benefits of practicing juggling:

1. Strengthening muscles: Preparatory exercises for juggling involve continuous body movements, which can help strengthen muscles important for maintaining balance.
2. Improving dynamic balance: These exercises require coordination and control of body movements, which can improve dynamic balance – the ability to maintain a stable body position during movement.
3. Enhancing motor coordination: Exercises requiring precise and coordinated movements can improve motor coordination and, consequently, balance.
4. Synchronizing the right and left hemispheres of the brain.
5. Activating the cerebellum for more precise movements.
6. Enhancing concentration.
7. Improving motor-visual coordination.
8. Enhancing peripheral vision.
9. Improving reaction speed.
10. Increasing brain activity.
11. Improving memory.
12. Enhancing mood.

Below is a list of some scientific studies related to physical activity and its impact on elderly individuals:

1. Kurdi F.N., Flora R. "The Impact of Physical Exercise on Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Level in Elderly Population." Open Access Maced J Med Sci 2019; 7(10): 1618-1620.
2. Fleitas JC, Hammuod SFP, Kakuta E, Loreti EH. "A meta-analysis of the effects of physical exercise on peripheral levels of a brain-derived neurotrophic factor in the elderly." Biomarkers. 2022 May;27(3):205-214.
3. Zhou B, Wang Z, Zhu L, Huang G, Li B, Chen C, Huang J, Ma F, Liu TC. "Effects of different physical activities on brain-derived neurotrophic factor: A systematic review and bayesian network meta-analysis." Front Aging Neurosci. 2022 Aug 26;14:981002.
4. Ledreux A, Håkansson K, Carlsson R, Kidane M, Columbo L, Terjestam Y, Ryan E, Tusch E, Winblad B, Daffner K, Granholm AC, Mohammed AKH. "Differential Effects of Physical Exercise, Cognitive Training, and Mindfulness Practice on Serum BDNF Levels in Healthy Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Intervention Study." J Alzheimers Dis. 2019.
5. Tarassova O, Ekblom MM, Moberg M, Lövdén M, Nilsson J. "Peripheral BDNF Response to Physical and Cognitive Exercise and Its Association With Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Healthy Older Adults." Front Physiol. 2020 Aug 25.
6. Arazi, H., Babaei, P., Moghimi, M. "Acute effects of strength and endurance exercises on BDNF and IGF-1 serum levels in older men." BMC Geriatr 21, 50 (2021).