The Importance Of Exercising In The Elderly Population

Up to three-fourths of the older adult population in the United States does not currently exercise at recommended levels. As such, they do not gain the multiple physical, social and mental benefits that exercise could provide them. These range from cardiovascular fitness, which is a strong determinant of independence, to an improvement in mental health. Understanding the full range of benefits of exercise for older adults may encourage you to consult your doctor and initiate an exercise routine.

Health Benefits

The health benefits of exercising are multitudinous. It improves blood pressure, strength, flexibility, coordination, range of motion and balance. It also decreases incidence of diabetes and heart disease, risk of falling and hip or vertebral fractures and bone density loss. Exercise can also improve function and decrease pain in osteoarthritis patients, and even decrease risk of colon, rectal, breast and prostate cancers.

Social Benefits

Performing exercises with others gives you a chance to socialize regularly. This can be beneficial for those who may be lonely or for those who are too busy to incorporate regular, positive socialization in their daily life. This environment can also offer support and encouragement in performing exercises and increase your friend base for activities outside the exercise classroom.

Mental Benefits

Exercise can also decrease your rate of depression and improve your mood. In addition, it decreases morbidity in older adults, creating a more positive outlook on life. Exercise improves sleep, which can substantially affect mental functioning, and improves short-term memory. Because exercise can minimize or even remove pain and aches, you may experience less worry about your body. Exercise also promotes endurance and increases self-confidence in performing activities.

Prior to Exercise

Before beginning an exercise routine, if you are a sedentary or barely active older adult, you should undergo a physical examination to determine cardiac risk factors, physical limitations and exertional signs and symptoms. Consult your doctor for an exam and to inquire about exercises and intensities that are right for you.

Considerations

Benefits of exercise follow a hyperbolic dose-response curve. This means that if you go from none to some exercise you will experience the greatest benefits, but further increases in your activity will bring smaller and smaller improvements. In addition, to ensure long-term activity in your routine, you need to vary your exercises to mitigate any boredom with your routine and keep your exercises simple and fun. Also try to find an exercise regimen or class that caters to your fitness goals and health needs.