Exercise Benefits for Seniors
Skip the Rocking Chair for Moderate Physical Activity
You can do that, but do so knowing that you are likely increasing your chances of getting or making worse conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, COPD and more. No one wants to spend their golden years living with the effects of a stroke or heart attack--so, get up and move!
The exercise or physical activity you choose is not as important as choosing something and then doing it. Even if you've been sedentary all your life, there is nothing to preclude you from adding physical activity to your daily life now.
The American Heart Association, or AHA, has much information and tips on healthy lifestyle choices, not just for your heart but for your overall well-being. One of the tools offered by the AHA is a Life Check. This will help you to determine your current status and provide suggestions to make healthier choices.
Helpguide.org reports that exercise is the key to healthy aging. Exercise promotes self-esteem, flexibility, balance, improved circulation, burns extra calories, builds strength and stamina, maintains and improves the thinking functions of the brain and helps to reduce the loss of bone mass.
Falls are an important concern as you grow older. Exercise helps to prevent falls due to poor balance, strength or flexibility. Physical activity also aids in the prevention of loss of muscle mass. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons reports that muscle mass begins to decline at age 30; exercise helps to slow down this process.
Another benefit of exercise is that it helps you to maintain your independence by maintaining your ability to walk.
The physical activity that you choose to do is not as important as choosing to do something. Dr. Tim Church, chair of the American Heart Association's Physical Activity Committee states, "People ask me what's the best physical activity for me? Well, the best physical activity for you is the one you will do. Finding something you enjoy is absolutely critical."
Consult your health care provider before any new exercise program, then go for it.
Sources: American Heart Association; Working Together
American Heart Association; My Life Check
Helpguide.org; Senior Exercise and Fitness Tips
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons: Seniors and Exercise
Published by L.L. Woodard
Freelance writer/editor and freelance observer of life. Three decades of nursing experience in long-term care, from development of team care planning to hands-on patient care. View profile
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- Muscle mass begins to decline at age 30.
- Good strength, balance and flexibility are key to avoiding falls.
- Physical activity maintains your ability to walk--important to independence.
4 Comments
Post a CommentIf you don't use your legs enough, then they'll forget how to function. In the UK, a lot of middle aged people are fitter than teenagers. A worry for those teenagers when they get older.
"Fear of falling" is the number one concern for seniors. If they only knew that strength training (or resistance training with weight bearing exercises) will strengthen those old bones! When I owned a Curves gym, my oldest member was 90 yrs old and her bone density actually improved after one year of resistance training. Imagine that, cheers :)
Couldn't agree with your sentiments more~We have an exercise program at our senior residence in which we are enrolled~I want to stay as healthy and active as I can during my senior years~No rocking chair, remote and bon bons for me :-)
Excellent work on this.