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Prairie_Seagull

(4,902 posts)
Sat May 30, 2026, 05:58 PM May 30

Walking backwards aids with neuralplasticity.

I have found this to be true. I use my treadmill and if one is just starting put something to grab onto while turning around. Start very very slowly and move up as skill and balance increases. I no longer have to sit to put on my pants or shorts. Yea me in shorts. funny.

https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/walking-backward-may-have-link-increased-cognition

Edit- Check with health care professional if you need to.

15 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Walking backwards aids with neuralplasticity. (Original Post) Prairie_Seagull May 30 OP
It's supposed to be good for your knees, too. CrispyQ May 30 #1
Yes but I have notoriously bad knees Prairie_Seagull May 31 #6
Another good one! Aussie105 May 30 #2
I can write in cursive BigmanPigman May 30 #4
Hurts my head just thinking Prairie_Seagull May 31 #8
I'm an artist so I think it's a visual thing in my case. BigmanPigman May 31 #9
a friend of mine, as a kid, cd draw 2 completely different drawings at once. mopinko May 30 #5
Yup, brushing your hair or teeth TexasBushwhacker May 31 #10
Good advice, P_S! Thanks! highplainsdem May 30 #3
You are most certainly welcome hpd. Prairie_Seagull May 31 #7
There must be something to that. LudwigPastorius Jun 1 #11
8,000 plus miles on one journey. Prairie_Seagull Jun 1 #12
Aids with me falling on my ass, too. Iggo Jun 1 #13
Injury avoidance is certainly on my bingo card. Prairie_Seagull Jun 1 #14
Maybe a piece of wearable tech, Prairie_Seagull Jun 1 #15

Prairie_Seagull

(4,902 posts)
6. Yes but I have notoriously bad knees
Sun May 31, 2026, 01:06 AM
May 31

so it's kind of hard to tell. The example I used would indicate that knees too are getting better at least ish.

Aussie105

(8,360 posts)
2. Another good one!
Sat May 30, 2026, 07:59 PM
May 30

Transference of fine motor skills from one brain hemisphere to the other, ie, learning to write with your non-dominant hand.

Grab a pen in each hand, write something, look at what your dominant hand does and get the non-dominant hand to follow each movement without looking.

Takes some practise, and it does funny things inside your head, but it works.

BigmanPigman

(55,746 posts)
4. I can write in cursive
Sat May 30, 2026, 09:03 PM
May 30

backwards and upside down. I used to write letters to people and they could only read them if they held them in front of a mirror. It drove them crazy.

I suppose this skill doesn't help since it seems like it's a "two sides of the brain" skill. I'll have to give this a try. Sounds interesting.

BigmanPigman

(55,746 posts)
9. I'm an artist so I think it's a visual thing in my case.
Sun May 31, 2026, 02:51 AM
May 31

In art school I knew that Leonardo wrote backwards so no one could rip off his ideas and I tried it myself. It's really not that hard. When I ended up becoming a teacher (artists DO starve) I did it for my students and it was a great way to get them interested in penmanship. They loved it!

mopinko

(74,253 posts)
5. a friend of mine, as a kid, cd draw 2 completely different drawings at once.
Sat May 30, 2026, 11:06 PM
May 30

i think it dried up as she got older, but she did remain ambidextrous. super smart person. rly good artist.

TexasBushwhacker

(21,360 posts)
10. Yup, brushing your hair or teeth
Sun May 31, 2026, 06:24 AM
May 31

eating with your non-dominant hand, etc, are all good exercises.

Prairie_Seagull

(4,902 posts)
12. 8,000 plus miles on one journey.
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 10:50 AM
Jun 1

I shoot for 10 or 15 minutes 3 times a week.

I can now put on my shorts, He made the news.

Prairie_Seagull

(4,902 posts)
14. Injury avoidance is certainly on my bingo card.
Mon Jun 1, 2026, 11:47 AM
Jun 1

Great point. My ego...and ass are taking less of a kicking for sure.

Thanks Iggo.

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