Rollerblading For Older Adults

Exercising as you grow older can keep your cardiovascular system strong, improve your strength and flexibility and help protect your overall health. Regular exercise also can help prevent depression. You can find many ways to exercise, including swimming and strength training. When you want to feel the wind in your hair as you exercise, Rollerblading makes a good choice.

Health Benefits

Many older adults seek out ways to improve health, increase muscle strength and shed extra pounds. Rollerblading can help with all these goals. For example, according to MayoClinic.com, a person weighing 160 pounds can burn more than 500 calories in an hour of Rollerblading. A 240-pound person can burn more than 800 calories. Rollerblading also helps strengthen and tone the leg and buttocks muscles. In addition, skating counts as aerobic exercise, which means it helps keep the heart and lungs healthy.

Concerns

Older people often have concerns about the safety of Rollerblading. A fall or muscle injury can prove devastating to an older person. For example, senior citizens often suffer serious hip injuries as the result of falls. Dislocations, sprains and broken bones are risks as well. In addition, falls and head injuries cause deaths in people of all ages, but such accidents are associated with higher mortality rates for elderly people.

Safety

While an older person does accept some risks when Rollerblading, most people will not sustain serious injuries from this sport. You can boost your chances of skating unscathed by wearing a helmet and protective pads on your knees and elbows. Wrist guards can prove helpful as well. Protective gear won't stop you from falling, but it can help prevent serious injuries. Choose level surfaces and well-lit places to skate and take a partner along to call for help if necessary.

Lessons

Rollerblading lessons can help you prepare for skating as an older adult. Such lessons teach proper skating technique, methods of keeping balance, stopping techniques and the importance of maintaining safe speeds. Sometimes these classes also teach older adults how to choose the right pair of skates and how to fall to minimize injury. Depending on where you live, you might find private and group classes, and some organizations offer classes specifically for adults or senior citizens.

Medical Conditions

Consult with a doctor before you begin Rollerblading. A doctor's input is particularly important if you have conditions that involve weaker-than-normal bones or heightened risks in the event of an injury. For example, osteoporosis, a condition marked by fragile bones and decreased bone density, warrants evaluation before you start skating. If you have diabetes and don't heal well after injuries, this can prove concerning as well. In addition, your doctor may have specific advice for you if you have a joint condition such as arthritis.