PHYSICAL FITNESS FOR SENIORS: BENEFITS, RECOMMENDED EXERCISES, AND TRAINING TIPS
Regular exercise is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle, and that’s a scientific fact that cuts across all ages. The tendency is for seniors to become more sedentary. It seems like the most logical choice in the context of the reduced energy and strength that comes with increasing age. However, physical fitness holds so many potential benefits for the elderly that seniors who opt out of exercising do themselves a great disservice.
In this article, we will be covering the benefits of exercising for the elderly, great exercises to try out, and tips on how to work out safely and effectively.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF EXERCISING FOR SENIORS
- Prevents and Combats Chronic Diseases: Diabetes, hypertension, and other chronic diseases are common in individuals aged 65 years and above. Increasing your level of physical activity can greatly reduce the severity of existing illnesses and even prevent their occurrence entirely.
- Improves Quality of Life and Independence: High fitness levels can make a world of difference in the quality of life enjoyed by seniors. It improves blood, circulation, and immune function, all of which are important in helping the elderly get by with minimal assistance in their daily activities.
- Boosts Brain Function and Mental Health: Like every other organ of the body, the brain is susceptible to the wear and tear of aging. This can manifest as poor memory, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease. The endorphins released after a good workout improves mood, making them helpful when dealing with mood disorders such as depression and anxiety. Regular exercise can help to strengthen your brain’s capacity to resist age-related deterioration in function.
- Strengthens the Body: Strength, stamina, endurance, and balance are physical attributes that increase with exercise. It is important for seniors to prioritize stronger bodies to increase their chances of living long enough to witness many more milestones.
RECOMMENDED EXERCISES FOR THE ELDERLY
As a senior, if you could only choose one type of exercise to do, it should definitely be aerobic workouts. Aerobics are great for cardiovascular health because they get your heart pumping, contributing to lower blood pressure and weight loss.
Here are some great aerobic exercises for seniors to try:
- Cycling
- Swimming
- Brisk walking
- Dancing
- Jump rope
Loss of bone mass and joint stiffness are problems of old age that threaten balance and flexibility. You can counteract them with the right kind of exercise. Doing these workouts should mean fewer falls and increased motion across your joints.
Try these exercises to improve improved balance and flexibility:
- Squats
- Tai Chi
- Yoga
- Stretch exercises
- Pilates
Improving muscle strength is often overlooked by seniors. Still, it’s crucial if you are going to be able to get basic everyday activities done with minimal assistance. Incorporate some strength exercises into your fitness programs to empower your body to deal with stress and slow down muscle decline.
These are exercises you can do for strength training:
- Resistance band workouts
- Dumbbell exercises
- Bodyweight exercises
3 TIPS FOR SAFE EXERCISING IN THE ELDERLY
While improving your strength, flexibility, balance, and stamina, it is important to prioritize your safety in the process. Here are tips to keep in mind as you before exercising:
- Consult your physician before starting any fitness program, particularly if you are being managed for a chronic illness. This is not to discourage you from exercising but rather to advise how much exercising is permissible and what exercises you should avoid.
- Start off slowly and build up from there. Do not overload your body in a bid to quicken the journey to a healthier body, as this could lead to serious injuries.
- Know your limits and respect them. The trick to fitness is not how much you do but how often. So prioritize consistent workouts over excessively intense exercising.
For more advice on exercise programs for the elderly who are unable to leave the home regularly, be sure to contact Countryside Home Health Care for the information you can trust.
