There are several types of activities that can help improve coordination. People of all ages — from young children to seniors and everyone in between — can benefit from this. It can contribute to overall fitness and strengthen balance, which is important for preventing injuries. Some potentially beneficial activities can include aerobic activities, yoga, and team sports. There are also numerous types of games and drills to improve hand-eye coordination.
Medical professionals often place emphasis on fostering hand-eye coordination in young children, as they develop their basic motor skills. As people age, coordination assists with the completion of daily tasks as well as with the development of athletic abilities. Young people and adults alike can benefit from engaging in physical activities that continue to challenge them and help them maintain their coordination. For older adults, coordination and balance often go hand in hand, since both are important for helping to prevent falls and other injuries.
Some physical activities to improve coordination can include aerobics classes and other aerobic exercises that require the person to follow a workout routine. Fitness professionals do not usually recommend machines like treadmills and stair climbers to improve coordination. These machines are usually predictable and the steps are repetitive, so one does not have to adjust his or her actions while exercising. With classes, the movements are normally varied and new routines must be learned, helping to enhance one’s fine motor skills.
Martial arts and yoga are other activities that require focus and concentration. They also involve performing poses and movements that can strengthen one’s core muscles. Achieving core strength has been associated with increased flexibility and posture, both of which can improve coordination.
To learn more about hand-eye coordination and reaction times, team sports — like baseball or soccer — are often recommended. Catching, throwing, and batting all require the integration of different motor skills when playing baseball. Soccer also involves training the hands, eyes, and feet to work together. Like team sports, individual sports, such as tennis, can also assist someone with his or her coordination.
In addition to fitness activities, there are other ways to improve coordination. Some studies have shown that even certain types of video games can help. There are also various drills that have been created, many of which are aimed at helping older adults maintain their balance and coordination. Before beginning an exercise program or engaging in new activities, people are usually advised to check with their physicians for specific recommendations.
