Exercise is an invaluable way to improve senior health, and far from being dangerous for those over sixty to exercise, it is hugely beneficial. Changes in attitude to senior health and fitness mean that it is now quite common to see people enjoying sports and exercise to a much older age - and people in their eighties are not only running marathons, they're even competing in long-distance triathlons.
More and more of the older generation are coming to understand how important exercise is to senior health. It can drastically improve quality of life - and length of life - in later years. As we grow older, our body undergoes change, not all of it to the good, and exercise can help to redress the balance.
How your body changes as you age:
Strength. Muscle mass declines at a rate of 4% every decade between the ages of 25 and 50.
Endurance. Aerobic fitness levels decrease as the body ages, which can lead to reduced mobility in later life.
Flexibility. Joints change with age, causing stiffness, loss of range of movement, and sometimes injury.
Balance. Many injuries which lead to hospitalisation in older people are the consequences of a fall due to loss of balance.
Exercise is a great way to counteract these changes, as staying active can help keep the body in good working order. It is inactivity more than ageing itself that is the cause of much of the physical deterioration the body can experience. Cardiovascular, strength and flexibility exercises can help senior citizens stay healthy and maintain their independence and quality of life.
The information that you find on GymUser whether it's relating to exercise, fitness, or health is purely for information and is not intended to replace professional or medical advice. GymUser does not offer any medical advice or information across it sites or within it's newsletters.
If at any time you feel ill you should consult your doctor or GP. Likewise we recomend that before you undertake any form of fitness, exercise or even weight loss programs.
