The importance of physical activity for elderly People

You know very well that staying physically active is essential to be fit and healthy. However, it’s a bit different for the elderly. They need to be careful and consider health conditions when working out.

The article explains how often the seniors do exercise, the many benefits of exercise for them, too much, and exercises to avoid.

How often should the elderly exercise?

Elderly people should acquire 2.5 hours of moderate aerobic activity every week, according to the Family Doctor. That’s around 30 minutes a day, seven days a week. It’s also recommended that you work out vigorously for 1 hour and 15 minutes per week (such as running or jogging). You should do strength training at least twice a week, if not more. Every day, you may improve your ability to maintain a healthy balance while also being adaptable.

According to LiveStrong and AARP, regular exercise is the best prescription for independent, active and healthy aging. According to LiveStrong, The results of big health research published in 2011 show that more inactive seniors can benefit from doing 15 minutes of heart-pumping activity each day. On top of the two sessions each week of muscle-strengthening activity or exercise, the official suggestion is 30 minutes of moderate to robust activity each day. Make an effort to include four different types of exercise in each elderly exercise program.

The benefits of physical exercise for the elderly

Exercising as an older adult can benefit you in the following ways:

Weight loss or weight maintenance

Maintaining a healthy weight becomes more complex as you age due to a slowed metabolism. In order to burn more calories, you should engage in regular physical activity. This will assist in boosting your metabolism and building muscle mass.

Lessen the impact that illness and chronic disease take on the human body. Exercising regularly has been linked to:

• Better immune and digestive health,
• Lower blood pressure
• Increase bone density,
• Reduced risk of developing diseases like Alzheimer’s and diabetes
• Decreased heart disease, osteoporosis, and various cancers.

Make yourself more mobile, flexible, and well-balanced. Getting some physical activity can help you get stronger and more flexible and improve your posture, all of which can help you maintain your balance and minimize your risk of falling. Chronic illnesses like arthritis can be made tolerable by strength training.

Reduce the risk of disease

According to the greenfields, many prevalent ailments, like heart disease and diabetes, can be prevented by engaging in regular physical activity. When it comes to the elderly, exercise is especially crucial because their immune systems are typically already impaired. Even a bit of physical activity, such as moderate walking, has been shown to be effective in managing diseases that may be prevented.

Enhancement of mental health

Exercising has countless advantages for one’s mental health. Endorphins (the “feel good” hormone) are released during exercise and work as stress relievers and mood enhancers. Exercise has also been related to better sleep, which is critical for the elderly who are more likely to experience insomnia and other sleep-related problems.

Reducing the risks of falling

Falls are more common in the elderly, which can have severe consequences for their ability to remain independent. When you exercise, you not only build muscle and flexibility, but you also improve your balance and coordination, which lowers your risk of tripping and falling. Because seniors recover more slowly from falls, anything that can be done to prevent them is helpful.

Social Participation

Exercise can be turned into an enjoyable social event by joining a walking group, taking fitness classes with others, or going to a gardening club. Older individuals must maintain healthy social networks, so they don’t get isolated or depressed.

The most important thing is to discover an activity you enjoy so that working out will no longer feel like a chore.

Enhanced Cognitive Function

Being physically active regularly and having well-honed motor skills are both beneficial to one’s cognitive health. Numerous studies have proven that physically active individuals have a lower risk of dementia, regardless of when they start a habit.