Latest news with #healthyAging
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
StandingTall: Revolutionise Falls Prevention Nationwide with Proven, Scalable Health Tech
SYDNEY, July 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Miroma Project Factory (MPF), a leader in digital innovation for health and wellbeing, is proud to announce the expanded commercial release of StandingTall, the revolutionary home-based balance training program developed in collaboration with Professor Kim Delbaere, showcasing her life's work in falls prevention. StandingTall is a clinically validated, easy-to-use, and engaging exercise app designed to improve balance, boost confidence, and prevent falls among older adults. Now positioned for widespread adoption, StandingTall offers a proven, scalable solution that supports healthy aging and reduces the substantial burden falls place on individuals and healthcare systems alike. "StandingTall combines science, innovation and simplicity to deliver life-changing results. It's a proven solution ready to reduce falls, save healthcare costs and improve lives across Australia. It was co-developed with older Australians to ensure it's effective, accessible, and tailored to real needs. StandingTall integrates exercises seamlessly into daily routines, helping users build habits that protect their independence and confidence over time. Whether you're in urban, regional, or remote areas, StandingTall empowers users to regain control of their lives, reduce fear of falling, and enhance their independence" said Professor Kim Delbaere, Senior Principal Research Scientist at NeuRA and CEO of StandingTall. Built with a clear mission because every brain and body deserves better decisions, faster care, and a healthier future - StandingTall has already demonstrated its impact through extensive clinical trials. Among 2,000+ participants, StandingTall achieved a 19% reduction in falls and a 20% reduction in fall-related injuries. "We have worked hand in hand with Kim for over seven years, bringing to life her deeply rich research in falls prevention. Fall-related injuries in Australia's residential aged care could be costing the health system $325 million annually. Clinical trials show StandingTall reduces falls and injuries from falls by 20%, making it the only fall prevention app with such robust evidence behind it. As an aging nation, we need to adopt new strategies to actively reduce the burden on our amazing yet overstretched health system. For those who have already fallen, StandingTall is not just effective but cheaper than our current programs. It saves on emergency care, hospital admissions and rehabilitation costs. I am so immensely proud to help bring this product to life, contributing positivity to our aging community." stated Kat Robinson, Global CEO MPF StandingTall offers a personalised, progressive exercise experience, adaptable to each user's ability level, ensuring engagement and measurable results over time, including: Adaptive balance and mobility exercises with personalised algorithms visually move with your personal avatar, animated over 800+ Mocap suit-designed animations. Easy-to-use interface designed specifically for older adults, and accessibility at the forefront Home-based, low cost, self-paced programs requiring only a tablet Progress tracking to motivate sustained improvement that can be used in conjunction with your physician Offline capability for users in remote or rural areas StandingTall has already been successfully embedded into home aged care services across Australia and the UK, aligning with national aged care quality standards and digital health strategies. It has been highlighted in aged care innovation reports and government strategies for its measurable health outcomes, scalability, and impact. "The first meeting with the MPF team immediately illustrated their depth of knowledge and expertise in the area of health applications. They kept our older users at the forefront when making every decision around service design and usability. MPF impressed us at every step, and we are excited to move StandingTall into a new phase of growth and impact." said Professor Delbaere. Looking forward, StandingTall is set to become a foundation for broader digital health strategies in fall prevention, rehabilitation, and healthy aging. Plans are underway for expansion into new markets, integrations with wearable technology, and partnerships with government bodies to scale StandingTall across Australia and internationally. Availability: StandingTall is now available on iPad and Android tablets for individual users, home care services, and healthcare providers. Learn more at About Miroma Project Factory Miroma Project Factory (MPF) is a multi-award-winning digital production and development studio, specialising in delivering ground-breaking interactive digital products across web, mobile, social media, and gaming platforms. As a female-led business recognised by Women Love Tech for creating an amazing workplace, MPF's reputation is built on producing transformative solutions in health, broadcast, and entertainment, with a specialisation in gamification for behaviour change. Visit to learn more. References: The cost of falls in Australia For media inquiries, interviews, or partnership opportunities, please contact: Miroma Project Factoryinfo@ Kim DelbaereChief Executive OfficerStanding View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Miroma Project Factory Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A Pilates expert says these are the 8 best exercises for longevity to 'help you stay healthy in later life'
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. If you want to live a longer, more fulfilling life – aka being able to bend down and pick something up without straining your lower back – then building a stronger, more mobile body should be a top priority. Pilates is a great way to achieve this, as it helps improve and maintain our musculoskeletal health. According to Lotty Campbell Bird, founder of The Collective Fitness Studio, this is key to helping you 'stay fit, strong, and healthy in later life.' 'Musculoskeletal health is crucial for longevity because it enables mobility, independence, and overall well-being, all of which are vital for healthy ageing,' she explains. 'Strong muscles, bones, and joints allow you to perform daily tasks, maintain an active lifestyle, and reduce the risk of falls and injuries, which can significantly impact quality of life and lifespan.' In order to help you build a stronger, resilient body, Lotty has shared eight Pilates exercises that will help enhance your musculoskeletal health. 'These exercises build core strength and postural alignment, which supports your spine and joints, prevents musculoskeletal deterioration that is common when aging, and help to maintain bone density.' Make sure you give the video above a quick watch if you're unfamiliar with the exercises (FYI, the video has been sped up, so make sure you take them slow). Focus: Spinal articulation, core engagement, glute and hamstring activation. How to: Lie on your back, knees bent, feet flat Inhale to prepare, exhale to slowly roll your spine off the mat one vertebra at a time Inhale at the top, exhale to roll back down Benefits: Improves spinal mobility, strengthens posterior chain. Reps: 8-10 Focus: Glutes, hamstrings, spinal support, pelvic stability. How to do it: From a bridge position, lift one leg off the mat into tabletop while maintaining level hips Alternate your legs Benefits: Builds leg strength and improves balance, preventing hip and lower back dysfunction. Reps: 5-6 each side Focus: Deep core muscles (transversus abdominis and pelvic floor). How to do it: Lie on your back, lift legs to tabletop or straight up, curl head and shoulders off the mat. Pulse arms vigorously up and down as you inhale for 5 counts, exhale for 5. Benefits: Activates your deep core stabilisers and helps support posture. Reps: x 10 cycles of breath Focus: Improving core control and boosting hip mobility. How to do it: Lie on your back, with your head and shoulders curled up Alternate legs as one pulls in, the other reaches long Benefits: Strengthens abdominals while improving hip mobility and coordination. Reps: 8-10 each side Focus: Back extensor muscles, shoulder stabilisers and glutes. How to do it: Lie face down, hands under your forehead and legs extended. Lift upper back off the ground, keeping your eyeline on the floor and your feet and legs still. Benefits: Supports spinal extension, counters forward postures, and improves muscular balance. Reps: 8-10 reps Focus: Hip stability, glute medius strength and pelvic alignment. How to do it: Lie on your side with one arm tucked under your head for support and stack hips on top of one another Lift top leg slowly with a flex and lower with control with a point Benefits: Strengthens hip, helps with balance and offers lower back support. Reps: 10-15 each leg Focus: Spinal flexion, hamstring stretch, postural alignment. How to do it: Sit tall with legs extended and your feet flexed Inhale to sit taller, exhale to reach forward from the spine Benefits: Lengthens spine, reduces compression, increases flexibility. Reps: 6-8 Focus: Stability of core and pelvis and hip mobility. How to do it: Lie on your back, one leg extended up, the other on the mat Circle the raised leg while keeping hips stable Benefits: Strengthens the core and improves hip joint range of motion without compromising the spine. Reps: 8-10 each side
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A Pilates expert says these are the 8 best exercises for longevity to 'help you stay healthy in later life'
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. If you want to live a longer, more fulfilling life – aka being able to bend down and pick something up without straining your lower back – then building a stronger, more mobile body should be a top priority. Pilates is a great way to achieve this, as it helps improve and maintain our musculoskeletal health. According to Lotty Campbell Bird, founder of The Collective Fitness Studio, this is key to helping you 'stay fit, strong, and healthy in later life.' 'Musculoskeletal health is crucial for longevity because it enables mobility, independence, and overall well-being, all of which are vital for healthy ageing,' she explains. 'Strong muscles, bones, and joints allow you to perform daily tasks, maintain an active lifestyle, and reduce the risk of falls and injuries, which can significantly impact quality of life and lifespan.' In order to help you build a stronger, resilient body, Lotty has shared eight Pilates exercises that will help enhance your musculoskeletal health. 'These exercises build core strength and postural alignment, which supports your spine and joints, prevents musculoskeletal deterioration that is common when aging, and help to maintain bone density.' Make sure you give the video above a quick watch if you're unfamiliar with the exercises (FYI, the video has been sped up, so make sure you take them slow). Focus: Spinal articulation, core engagement, glute and hamstring activation. How to: Lie on your back, knees bent, feet flat Inhale to prepare, exhale to slowly roll your spine off the mat one vertebra at a time Inhale at the top, exhale to roll back down Benefits: Improves spinal mobility, strengthens posterior chain. Reps: 8-10 Focus: Glutes, hamstrings, spinal support, pelvic stability. How to do it: From a bridge position, lift one leg off the mat into tabletop while maintaining level hips Alternate your legs Benefits: Builds leg strength and improves balance, preventing hip and lower back dysfunction. Reps: 5-6 each side Focus: Deep core muscles (transversus abdominis and pelvic floor). How to do it: Lie on your back, lift legs to tabletop or straight up, curl head and shoulders off the mat. Pulse arms vigorously up and down as you inhale for 5 counts, exhale for 5. Benefits: Activates your deep core stabilisers and helps support posture. Reps: x 10 cycles of breath Focus: Improving core control and boosting hip mobility. How to do it: Lie on your back, with your head and shoulders curled up Alternate legs as one pulls in, the other reaches long Benefits: Strengthens abdominals while improving hip mobility and coordination. Reps: 8-10 each side Focus: Back extensor muscles, shoulder stabilisers and glutes. How to do it: Lie face down, hands under your forehead and legs extended. Lift upper back off the ground, keeping your eyeline on the floor and your feet and legs still. Benefits: Supports spinal extension, counters forward postures, and improves muscular balance. Reps: 8-10 reps Focus: Hip stability, glute medius strength and pelvic alignment. How to do it: Lie on your side with one arm tucked under your head for support and stack hips on top of one another Lift top leg slowly with a flex and lower with control with a point Benefits: Strengthens hip, helps with balance and offers lower back support. Reps: 10-15 each leg Focus: Spinal flexion, hamstring stretch, postural alignment. How to do it: Sit tall with legs extended and your feet flexed Inhale to sit taller, exhale to reach forward from the spine Benefits: Lengthens spine, reduces compression, increases flexibility. Reps: 6-8 Focus: Stability of core and pelvis and hip mobility. How to do it: Lie on your back, one leg extended up, the other on the mat Circle the raised leg while keeping hips stable Benefits: Strengthens the core and improves hip joint range of motion without compromising the spine. Reps: 8-10 each side
CNA
14-06-2025
- Health
- CNA
That cup of coffee may have a surprising perk – a healthier, longer life
Most people who drink coffee appreciate the quick jolt of energy it provides. But in a new study, presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, scientists have found that coffee may offer the much longer-term benefit of healthy ageing. The study has not been peer-reviewed or published, but it was rigorous and included a large number of women who were followed for many years. It also adds to a large body of evidence linking coffee to longer lives and various health advantages, including lower risks of certain chronic diseases – though all of these studies had limitations, including that they were observational and could not prove cause and effect. Still, the results linking coffee to healthier ageing were not surprising, said Fang Fang Zhang, a professor of nutritional epidemiology at Tufts University who was not involved with the study. 'The data is quite consistent that coffee consumption is actually beneficial,' she said. WHAT DID THE NEW RESEARCH FIND? In the study, researchers followed more than 47,000 female nurses for several decades beginning in the 1970s. Every few years, the women answered detailed questions about their diets, including how much coffee, tea and cola (like Coca-Cola or Pepsi) they typically drank. Then, the scientists looked at how many of the women were still alive and met their definition of 'healthy ageing' in 2016. Just over 3,700 women met that criteria: They were 70 or older; reported good physical and mental health, with no cognitive impairment or memory problems; and were free of 11 chronic diseases such as cancer, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney failure, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. The researchers found a correlation between how much caffeine the women typically drank (which was mostly from coffee) when they were between 45 and 60 years old and their likelihood of healthy ageing. After adjusting for other factors that could affect aging, such as their overall diet, how much they exercised and whether they smoked, those who consumed the most caffeine (equivalent to nearly seven eight-ounce cups of coffee per day) had odds of healthy ageing that were 13 per cent higher than those who consumed the least caffeine (equivalent to less than one cup per day). Drinking tea or decaffeinated coffee was not associated with healthy ageing, the researchers found. That may be because the study participants generally consumed less tea and decaffeinated coffee overall, so perhaps there were fewer chances for the researchers to find benefits linked to them, said Sara Mahdavi, an adjunct professor of nutritional sciences at the University of Toronto who led the study. Tea and decaf coffee also have less caffeine, and tea has different plant compounds from regular coffee, so that may explain the results, too, she added. Drinking cola, another potential source of caffeine, was associated with significantly decreased odds of healthy ageing. Dr Mahdavi cautioned that while drinking up to seven small cups of coffee per day was associated with healthy ageing in her study, that doesn't necessarily mean that drinking that much will benefit everyone, nor that it is healthy to do so. Research in other groups of people suggests that the health benefits of coffee may plateau or even dip when they drink more than three to four cups per day. WHAT DOES OTHER RESEARCH SUGGEST? Many other studies have linked drinking coffee regularly to a lower risk of early death. In a study of more than 46,000 US adults published in May, Dr Zhang and her colleagues found that those who consumed one to three cups of coffee per day were about 15 percent less likely to die within the next nine to 11 years than those who didn't drink coffee. That benefit disappeared, though, for people who said they typically added more than about a half teaspoon of sugar to their coffee and for people who added more than one gram of saturated fat (equivalent to about one tablespoon of half-and-half or 3.5 tablespoons of whole milk) per cup of coffee. Research has also suggested that people who drink coffee regularly have lower risks of heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, liver disease, osteoporosis and some types of cancer. These kinds of studies can't prove cause and effect, said Aladdin Shadyab, an associate professor of public health and medicine at the University of California, San Diego. But because the benefits associated with coffee have been so consistent, it's unlikely that they are entirely explained by other aspects of a person's life, Dr Zhang said. If anything, drinking coffee is often associated with unhealthy habits, like smoking and less exercise. The fact that you see benefits after accounting for these differences means that coffee is probably helping, Dr Zhang said. HOW MIGHT COFFEE PROTECT YOUR HEALTH? Researchers aren't entirely sure why coffee may be beneficial. 'It's a bit of a mystery,' said Marilyn Cornelis, an associate professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine. Studies in mice have found that caffeine may improve memory and protect brain cells from damage. And human studies have found links between regular (not decaffeinated) coffee and a reduced risk of Parkinson's disease. Both regular and decaf coffee contain hundreds of chemical compounds, including many that may lower inflammation and prevent cell damage, Dr Mahdavi said. While the new study didn't find a benefit associated with decaf coffee, other research has linked it, along with regular coffee, to lower rates of Type 2 diabetes and other conditions, Dr Cornelis said. Tea also contains many beneficial compounds, and drinking it has been associated with better heart health and a longer life. WHAT'S THE TAKEAWAY? If you drink coffee regularly, consider the new findings and others like it as good news that it may benefit your health – so long as you don't add too much cream or sugar, Dr Zhang said. But if you don't enjoy coffee, Dr Mahdavi added, there's no need to start drinking it. It can interfere with sleep or make some people feel anxious or jittery.
Medical News Today
12-06-2025
- Health
- Medical News Today
Longevity: Could a simple blood test tell all about your aging?
Researchers are developing a simple blood test that could assess your health span and lifespan. Image credit: Santi Nuñez/Stocksy. Intrinsic capacity is the sum of a person's mental and physical capacities, and is a measure of aging. Maintaining physical and mental function is a cornerstone of healthy aging. Formerly, assessing intrinsic capacity has been a costly and time-consuming process. Now, researchers have developed a method for assessing intrinsic capacity and age-related decline from a single drop of blood or saliva. They suggest that their test could be used to track aging and guide targeted interventions to maintain mental and physical function as people age. Intrinsic capacity (IC) is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as 'all the physical and mental capacities that a person can draw on and includes their ability to walk, think, see, hear and remember.' A person's intrinsic capacity is influenced by a number of factors, including the presence of diseases, injuries and age-related changes. Maintaining your intrinsic capacity is key to healthy aging. However, measuring intrinsic capacity has, until now, required sophisticated equipment and trained personnel. A new study has found that measuring DNA methylation in blood samples to assess intrinsic capacity effectively predicts all-cause mortality. The study, which is published in Nature Aging , suggests that the IC clock could be a useful tool for tracking aging and guiding targeted interventions to maintain function in older age. Thomas M. Holland, MD, MS, a physician-scientist and assistant professor at the RUSH Institute for Healthy Aging, RUSH University, College of Health Sciences, who was not involved in this study, commented for Medical News Today that: 'A blood- or saliva-based test for intrinsic capacity, known as DNAm IC, is a very promising tool in aging science. […] This test uses DNA methylation patterns, chemical tags that regulate gene activity, to estimate your IC biologically, offering insights into how well your body is functioning compared to your chronological age.' 'One of the most critical aspects is that this test can be done with a simple blood or saliva sample, making it accessible and noninvasive. It tells us not just how old you are, but how well you are aging, which is much more meaningful to help inform which interventions should be implemented, if any, to help prevent future health problems,' Holland explained. Elena Rolt, MSc, DipION, IFMCP, a Registered Nutritional Therapist and Functional Medicine Practitioner and cofounder of Health Miro, who was not involved in this research, also welcomed the findings. 'The DNA methylation-based intrinsic capacity (DNAm IC) test shows significant potential as a practical measure of biological aging,' Rolt told MNT . 'Unlike traditional epigenetic clock based tests, it also captures functional aging more directly.' 'As it reflects immune aging, physical capacity and lifestyle-related risk factors, this test may be particularly relevant for personalised aging interventions and preventive strategies,' she added. 'However,' Rolt cautioned, 'its use should be complementary to other markers — e.g. PhenoAge, GrimAge, functional tests — and its utility in clinical practice will depend on further validation.' Using data from 1,014 people from the INSPIRE-T cohort, aged between 20 and 102 years, the researchers developed an IC score using five aspects of age-related decline: cognition locomotion sensory (vision and hearing) psychological vitality. From blood and saliva tests, the researchers collected data on DNA methylation — a process that activates or deactivates genes. DNA methylation changes over time because of developmental mutations and environmental factors, and abnormal methylation patterns have been linked to several diseases. They used this, and the age-related decline data, to construct an epigenetic predictor of IC (an 'IC clock,' or DNAm IC), then evaluated associations between the IC clock and mortality. The researchers found that DNAm IC was strongly associated with overall health. People with the highest DNAm IC had better lung function, faster walking speed, greater bone mineral density and were more likely to view themselves as healthy. And people with a high DNAm IC lived, on average, 5.5 years longer than those with a low DNAm IC. Holland told us this was a very significant finding: 'Scientifically, this reflects strong associations between high IC and better immune function, lower chronic inflammation, and reduced risk for diseases like hypertension, heart failure, stroke, and other age-related conditions.' 'Simply,' he added, 'if your body is functioning well internally you are more likely to live longer and stay healthier. This test doesn't just give a snapshot of your current state; it may also offer a glimpse into your future health.' In everyone, intrinsic capacity declines with age, but there are measures that can help to slow that decline. This study found that people with a high dietary intake of oily fish, and sugar intake that was within recommended guidelines (no more than 5% of total energy intake), were more likely to have a high DNAm IC. Tunç Tiryaki, board-certified plastic surgeon and founder of the London Regenerative Institute, who was not involved in the recent study, explained the association: 'Oily fish are rich in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), which have anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and mitochondrial-supportive properties. These mechanisms are closely aligned with domains of IC such as vitality and cognitive function. Omega-3s also modulate gene expression related to immune responses and cellular senescence, pathways shown to be enriched in the DNAm IC signature.' 'Conversely, excessive sugar intake is known to accelerate glycation, oxidative stress, insulin resistance and chronic inflammation, all of which impair IC,' Tiryaki told MNT . 'Staying within recommended sugar limits likely supports metabolic flexibility and reduces inflammatory burden, preserving cognitive and physical function. These dietary factors likely influence DNAm IC by modulating epigenetic regulation and immune aging, thus helping maintain functional capacity,' he detailed. Holland, Tiryaki, and Rolt recommended a number of measures to help ensure healthy aging. These include: following a healthy diet, such as the MIND or Mediterranean diet, that is rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, wholegrains, and healthy fats, such as those found in nuts, olive oil and oily fish regular physical activity, including aerobic activity, strength training and balance exercises; Tiryaki emphasized that physical activity 'supports locomotion and vitality and influences mitochondrial function and immune health, both of which are linked to IC' cognitive and social engagement — keeping your brain stimulated and maintaining social networks are both associated with healthier aging. ensuring that you manage stress and any chronic diseases. Holland told us that the DNAm clock was a major advance in functional aging science: 'It links molecular biology with real-world outcomes like mobility, cognition and lifespan. While further validation is needed, especially in older adults with low IC, this study lays the groundwork for using personalised epigenetic markers to guide interventions in preventive geriatrics, longevity medicine and precision public health.' 'DNAm IC reflects not only how long you might live, but how well you might function, and that shift in focus is central to meaningful longevity.' – Thomas M. Holland, MD, MS Blood / Hematology Seniors / Aging
