Moderate physical activity also benefits the muscles, bone structure, heart, and brain. The lungs are impacted positively, and any breathing issues get better with regular exercise. Research points to the fact that not only does daily exercise help ward off some significant illnesses, but an individual’s life span is also improved. Mental issues like stress, depression, anxiety, etc., are reduced considerably too. Scientists have found that a physically active lifestyle triggers the mechanism needed for DNA repair. Whether it is an exercise for lower back pain, strength training, or aerobics that different individuals prefer, it is important to find exercise types that will suit an individual’s body structure and age.
Is Exercise Safe for Seniors?
Exercise for seniors is perfectly safe and recommended by most doctors. People who suffer from chronic diseases are also told to perform workouts suitable for them. Diabetics, high blood pressure patients, heart disease patients, arthritic seniors, etc., are also advised with a basic form of exercise to have flexibility in their muscles and joints. These conditions are commonly seen to improve with physical training. Consult your physician before starting any fitness workouts to confirm that the particular set of exercises will suit your body and activity levels. The key is to keep your body in motion to have a healthy brain and body.
Benefits of Exercise for Seniors
Beginning to exercise is never late, even though one may be suffering from chronic illnesses. The effects of getting old can still be countered and minimised, and nobody needs prior exercise experience.
Regular exercises can provide advantages much more than musculoskeletal improvement. The different ways the body benefits from physical activities are listed below:
1) Reduces chances of contracting diseases
The most significant outcome of performing physical exercises by seniors is that illnesses that are common after 65 years are reduced considerably. The symptoms of the disease are decreased with regular exercise, and so are the long-term effects. The person’s immunity, which is often compromised at this age, also increases to keep the person fit.
2) Better mental health
There are scores of mental health benefits of exercise, the key being the release of the feel-good hormones called endorphins in the body. This keeps the person mentally and emotionally active and satisfied. The sleep pattern in seniors is also improved because of exercise.
3) Reduced risks of falling
Most seniors risk falling due to instability in balance and low flexibility. Practising particular exercise types help improve their balancing and coordination. Recovering from falls is long and cumbersome for seniors, so it is essential to reduce the risk of falling right from the beginning.
4) Better cognitive function
Regularity in physical fitness improves the cognitive function of ageing people. Building up fine-tuned motor skills is shown to have a direct impact on decreasing the effects of dementia.
5) Improved bone health
The bone density of humans tends to decrease with age. About 2% of bone density drops for post-menopausal women year by year. But this rate reduces with sufficient and regular strength training in ageing individuals. Stronger bones do not break easily and give better balance and complete independence.
6) Decreases Osteoarthritic pain
Seniors who have arthritis and osteoporosis generally tend to be the least active, as their bones ache. But strength training and range of motion exercises are seen to strengthen the surrounding muscles and thus relieve the arthritic pain in these individuals.
7) Improved muscle tone
As a result of exercising regularly, the muscles get toned, providing more energy to carry out everyday tasks.
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Seniors may perform various exercise types like flexibility, endurance, strength training, aerobics, cardiovascular workouts, etc. To motivate ageing individuals, they can partner up with a workout buddy to make it more fun and perform those activities that are enjoyable for them.
How does exercise help physically?
Performing different exercise types has been shown to improve cognitive function, decrease weight, ward off diseases associated with ageing, provide flexibility and strength, provide better balance, and enhance bone health.
What are the exercise examples suitable for ageing people?
Walking briskly, spot cycling, water aerobics, squats, tai chi, mild stretching, callisthenics, exercise for lower back pain, etc., are some suitable exercises that suit seniors.
How do I get fit at home?
You can do physical activities like the spot jogging or running on the treadmill, walking up and down the stairs, dancing, skipping, etc., at home.