Your Life
HIIT, or high-intensity interval training, is the latest exercise rage and is considered functional fitness. Functional fitness combines the best components of aerobic and resistance training, leading to a workout regimen that improves overall quality of life. It aims for holistic improvement, including better exercise techniques in a functional movement over a period of time, better proprioception (the sense of where your body is in space), improved mobility, cardiovascular endurance, and strength. Over time, this work translates to simply feeling more at home in your body as it moves throughout the day — hence the term "functional." While this may seem like a small benefit at first glance, research shows that functional fitness training benefits muscle strength, balance, and mobility — all of which help guard against disability within activities of daily living (ADL) at an older age. Falls and vehicle crashes are the leading causes of injury and mortality in older adults, per the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Mobility plays a major role in preventing both types of accidents, so it follows that functional training isn't just an investment in your health today but also in feeling safe, mobile, and well later in life. Moreover, other research has shown that functional fitness workouts may help you stay motivated since you'll start feeling the difference in your movements quickly. Of course, it's always a good idea to check in with your doctor before beginning any new fitness regimen.
10 Functional Fitness Exercises to Keep You Injury-Free for Life
by Kells McPhillips
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