okenawa

adapted care. the OKenawa® program. exercises at home.

adapted care

one-hour group sessions once a week.

the intervention includes supervised sessions in small groups, complemented by individually prescribed exercises at home. martial arts practice (karate with controlled impacts) is integrated into each session to effectively improve:

• postural stability

• muscle extensibility

• joint flexibility

• balance

• reaction time

• coordination

• muscle strength

• internal sense of spatial orientation

minimal and controlled impact, as demonstrated in recent studies, is crucial for bone strengthening.

one-hour group sessions are offered each week. physical test sessions are also organized throughout the year to assess progress and adjust personal goals.

general objectives of the OKenawa® program

• strengthenthe bones and the body in general to minimize the effects of osteoporosis.

• improvethe physical factors affecting balance, risk of falls and injuries.

• raise awarenessof the importance of physical activity and ways to maintain it through behavioral changes.

• promotethe long-term maintenance of regular physical activity for the prevention of osteoporosis, by integrating certain exercises and healthy behavior into the daily routine of participants.

the program

the technical content of the program is based on a literature review (including the detailed description of programs requested from various authors) and on the expertise and field experience ofMelCoaching. it has been divided into eight sessions of about 12 classes, each with specific objectives and a standardized framework (combination and sequence of exercises).

the exercises aim to improve:

• postural stability: e.g. body elongation, maximum relaxation.

• muscle extensibility and joint flexibility: e.g. stretching and various exercises for all muscle groups (flexors and extensors).

• balance: e.g. knee bends, tandem position, backward walking, sit-to-stand, eyes closed.

• reaction time: e.g. group games with balls and small equipment, fine motor skills.

• coordination: e.g. alternating upper and lower body limb swings. dissociate upper body movements from lower, left and right brain simultaneously.

• muscle strength: e.g. exercises for hip abductors, knee extensors, ankle plantar flexion.

• internal sense of spatial orientation: e.g. sense of position and movement of limbs and trunk through martial arts practice. practice of kata and tai chi at differentiated rhythm and speed.

exercises at home to reinforce group sessions

participants must also perform exercises at home to reinforce group sessions and integrate balance training and physical activity into daily routines, to promote a healthier lifestyle.

the exercises at home are selected from those practiced with the group and adapted by the instructor according to the physical abilities of each participant.