Exercise For Seniors - Three Important Benefits

June 13th, 2008 · 1 Comment

Many seniors I train have found out that it is never too late to begin an exercise program. No matter what your age, you can reap the results of better weight management, improved psychological effects, dramatically reduce the risk of many major diseases, and enhance your quality of life and independence.

Below are a few of the benefits that regular exercise can provide you even if you are just beginning regular fitness activity in your senior years.

Reduce risk of heart attack and stroke:

Physical activity, such as walking at a moderate intensity on most days of the week, has been proven beneficial in the treatment and prevention of heart disease. When engaging in physical activity, your body increases it’s production of HDL. HDL is a good cholesterol in your blood that is a protective mechanism against heart disease.

The American Heart Association reports that it is better for people with heart disease to stay active. A suggested exercise regime might be moderate cardiovascular or aerobic activity for 30 minutes, 5 times a week.

Improved Flexibility for seniors who exercise:

As the saying goes, if you don’t use it you lose it. The same goes with the flexibility and range of motion in your joints, tendons and limbs. Our muscles, joints and tendons are like rubber bands. They should be stretchy, flexible, and allow you to bend.

If your joints and muscles are stretched on a regular basis, they become more giving. If they go for long periods of not being stretched, they tighten up. And if it has been years since you have stretched, then you will more brittle, and things just snap!

If we have flexibility and range of motion on our side, then if we fall we have more give and stretch in out muscles and joints, allowing us to roll and bend with the fall instead of snapping, tearing or breaking a muscle, bone or tendon. Just think of how much easier it is to reach down and tie your shoes with the ability to bend and flex to reach our ankles or toes.

Hints for stretching:

Stretch and reach beyond your normal daily movements, such as reaching above your head or bending forward, backward or sideways to pick something up.
Never bounce in a stretch. Move into the stretch slowly and come out of the stretch slowly.
Always keep your head up.
To preserve your flexibility progress, try to stretch everyday you possibly can.

A suggested flexibility regime would be to begin with a moderate aerobic activity, such as walking for five to eight minutes and then go into your stretching routine. Stretch all major muscle groups, holding each stretch 10- 30 seconds.

Maintain Weight Level and Lessen Medication Dependency

In the past 20 yrs, disability rates have increased at least 50%, demonstrating America’s obesity epidemic. In a survey of 800,000 Americans done by California researchers, it was found that back pain and diabetes were the leading disablers.

Both of these conditions are frequently tied to excess body weight. Being overweight especially puts seniors at a higher risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and orthopedic problems. Exercise helps lower blood pressure and cholesterol, aids in controlling blood sugar, helps alleviate pain, increases bone density, and aids weight reduction and maintenance.

This in turn, offers seniors the opportunity for reduced medication dependency and medical cost. As always, never alter your medication dosage without consulting your health-care provider first.

The suggested regime for decreasing medication dependency and weight maintenance? Exercise and watch your weight daily.

Silver Sneakers

I am currently teaching a Silver SneakersTM fitness program which is geared toward senior fitness. This is an excellent class that offers fitness advice, low intensity workouts and the opportunity to mingle with fellow Senior fitness advocates.

Silver SneakersTM is sponsored by many insurance companies who will cover the cost of your gym membership where the program is offered. Check with your insurance company to see if it is offered within your insurance program and get started today on a brand new healthier you!

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1 SeniorsSpace.com Blog » Three Important Benefits for Seniors Who Exercise // Jun 13, 2008 at 2:29 pm

[…] Fayette Front Page.com wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptMany seniors i work with have found out that it is never too late to begin an exercise program. No matter what your age, you can reap the results of better weight management, improved psychological effects, dramatically reduce the risk … […]

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