Why Exercise?
As we age, our bodies go through a bevy of unavoidable changes. It is getting easier to gain weight and harder to lose it because our metabolism slows down. For women, osteoporosis becomes an issue, making us more susceptible to fractures and breaks. We start to lose the sense of balance and no longer can enjoy all the activities we love. But it does have to be like this. With the right exercise explicitly designed for you by a fitness professional or medical exercise specialist, you can reduce age-related changes in the body and continue to enjoy your active life.
“Exercise has countless benefits for those of all ages, including a healthier heart, stronger bones and improved flexibility. For seniors, there are additional benefits, like the fact that regular exercise reduces the risk of chronic diseases, lowers the chance of injury and can even improve one’s mood”
What Can Exercise Do for Seniors
- Improve function: Regular exercise by seniors may decrease the time it takes to heal after an injury. A strong, healthy body can recover faster from injury or illness and fight off infection easier.
- Prevent disease or chronic conditions: According to the National Institute of Aging, regular exercising may delay or even prevent diseases like osteoporosis, diabetes, cancer, stroke, and heart disease.
- Increase balance and stability: Falls are the number one cause of injury among seniors resulting in broken hips or other bones. Exercise may improve balance and body awareness and either completely prevent falls or significantly minimize damage.
- Improve the quality of life and increase life expectancy – Studies have shown that seniors who exercise regularly improve both their physical and mental fitness. Exercise can help alleviate symptoms of depression and improve the mood in general, and increased mobility helps a senior maintain independence.
Regardless of what your fitness level is today, it is not too late to start regular exercise.