According to Atchley (1971, 1989), making adaptations in middle and later life define the normal aging process in human development (i.e., lack of physical and mental disease). Continuity links a person’s history either internally or externally (Atchley, 1989). On the one hand, internal elements are constant throughout the life course of competence, ego identity, self-esteem, and temperament (Atchley, 1989). On the contrary, external elements offer maintenance of continuity by relationships, social support, self-concept, coping, and personal goals (Atchley, 1989). The continuity theory suggests that older adults will maintain lifestyle activities, and relationships adopted in younger years by formulating strategies to maintain physical and
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Since 1924 and 1937, music educators and advocates have diligently planned, designed, and implemented music education in schools and communities for all ages. PMs who chose healthy lifestyles through the life course enjoy community music ensembles to maintain physical skills (Saarikallio & Erkkila, 2007), fine motor skills (Bruhn & Schroter, 2009), and increased brain grey matter, which has long-term effects on other brain structures and functions that NMs do not experience (Gaser & Schlaug, 2003). Therefore, applied gerontologists should explore PMs who participate in community music ensembles for answers to healthy aging, and leave gerontology specialists to explore NM patients (Eckl, …show more content…
Singing begins with an exhalation of human vocal sounds (phonation) (NIDCD, 2015). At the point of phonation, two smooth adjacent muscle tissues in the thorax come into contact and vibrate to create resonating sound waves from the throat, mouth, and nose (NIDCD, 2015). As any vocal performer will confirm, singing is athletic, and to sing competently, older adults need to be physically fit to meet the challenges of creating beautiful sounds. Being physically fit means having good physical hearing (or amplified by hearing devices). Physical fitness requires proper nutrition, hydration, sleep, and participating in vigorous aerobic exercise to continue good health for the physical exertion required for breathing and singing melodic phrases without altering the original music composition for respiration (Sundberg,
Since 1924 and 1937, music educators and advocates have diligently planned, designed, and implemented music education in schools and communities for all ages. PMs who chose healthy lifestyles through the life course enjoy community music ensembles to maintain physical skills (Saarikallio & Erkkila, 2007), fine motor skills (Bruhn & Schroter, 2009), and increased brain grey matter, which has long-term effects on other brain structures and functions that NMs do not experience (Gaser & Schlaug, 2003). Therefore, applied gerontologists should explore PMs who participate in community music ensembles for answers to healthy aging, and leave gerontology specialists to explore NM patients (Eckl, …show more content…
Singing begins with an exhalation of human vocal sounds (phonation) (NIDCD, 2015). At the point of phonation, two smooth adjacent muscle tissues in the thorax come into contact and vibrate to create resonating sound waves from the throat, mouth, and nose (NIDCD, 2015). As any vocal performer will confirm, singing is athletic, and to sing competently, older adults need to be physically fit to meet the challenges of creating beautiful sounds. Being physically fit means having good physical hearing (or amplified by hearing devices). Physical fitness requires proper nutrition, hydration, sleep, and participating in vigorous aerobic exercise to continue good health for the physical exertion required for breathing and singing melodic phrases without altering the original music composition for respiration (Sundberg,