Exercise at Any Age

[avatar user=”doller” size=”thumbnail” align=”left” link=”https://somoscc.wpengine.com/who-we-are/denisse-oller”]by Denisse Oller[/avatar]Exercising regularly is key to remaining healthy at any age, but it’s especially important for older adults who tend to neglect it. The benefits of exercise are vast, including controlling blood pressure, preventing on-set health problems like diabetes and osteoporosis, and improving brain function. Regular exercise has been linked to decreased mortality and age-related diseases. Despite the benefits, only about 40 percent of adults over the age of 75 get a regular amount of exercise.

Regardless of the age, everyone needs exercise in order to maintain a healthy life. Here are some tips to help make exercise a regular part of your everyday life.

Make It Simple – Physicians recommend 30 minutes of cardio exercise for older adults. If endurance is an issue, those 30 minutes can be spread out amongst different everyday activities: walk while running errands, take the stairs for a flight or two instead of riding the elevator, or get off the bus or train a stop early and walk the rest of the way to your destination.

Exercise Your Muscles – Cardiovascular exercises are good for endurance, but other types of exercises also help maintain health. Strength training can help with building muscles, prevent loss of bone mass, and improved balance. These exercises can be done at home through activities like lunges, sit-ups, and leg raises.

Stretch – Stretching before and after you exercise is vital to allowing muscles to warm up and cool down, improving flexibility, and preventing injury from exercise.

Do it with Professionals – Having support is an easy way of making exercise more fun. Join a class with friends that you don’t get to see often. Exercise classes that are supervised by trained professionals are good for those who are limited by health impairments. Find classes at your local YMCA or senior center.

Be Mindful of Your Limits – Do not push yourself if you are exercising for the first time. Keep in mind the medications you are taking and any prior conditions when looking into new ways of getting active. And don’t forget to talk to your doctor before starting an exercise routine, especially possibly strenuous ones.

Exercise is not limited by age. People of all ages should use exercise to improve their health. The whole family can use 30 minutes of walking or playing a game outside in order for everyone to stay healthy! Use these tips and you will be increasing your physical activity in no time.

 

https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/10-tips-to-prevent-injuries-when-you-exercise

https://www.agingcare.com/articles/exercise-benefits-for-the-elderly-95383.html

https://www.aafp.org/afp/2002/0201/p419.html

https://www.hhs.gov/fitness/resource-center/facts-and-statistics/index.html

http://www.ymcanyc.org/association/classes/active-older-adults