As you age, an active lifestyle becomes more important than ever. Exercising regularly can boost your energy, prevent illness or pain, and help your mobility and stamina. Exercise not only has many physical benefits, but it also helps your memory and your mood. Here are a few reasons why it’s extremely important for older adults to make exercising a part of their everyday life.
Exercise Increases Bone Density And Prevents Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is largely common among elderly people and is one of the major issues associated with old age. Exercise helps improve bone health, thus delaying the onset of Osteoporosis.
Exercise Improves Self-Efficiency And Maintains Independence
As we get older, the ability to complete everyday tasks and take care of ourselves becomes more difficult. Exercising helps older adults maintain their independence by giving them the ability to take on everyday tasks.
Exercise Increases Metabolism
Strength training increases muscle mass, which increases your metabolism. A faster metabolism may lead to less overall body fat.
Exercise Improves Balance And Reflexes
Older adults experience a natural decline in their ability to balance, leaving them more susceptible to falling. Exercise postpones and even prevents loss of balance and coordination with proper strength training.
Exercise Improves Pulmonary Function
Older adults experience degeneration of the vertebral disks which alters the shape of the thoracic cavity. leading to decreased pulmonary function. Exercise decreases the amount of vertebral degeneration and strengthens the thoracic cavity. This may lead to improved pulmonary function.
Exercise Boosts Your Mood
Exercise increases the production of endorphins, therefore, reducing instances of depression. It also improves self esteem and makes you feel more accomplished.
Exercise Helps Prevent And Regulate Diabetes
Aerobic exercise has been shown to prevent and treat non-insulin-dependent diabetes by regulating blood glucose levels.
Exercise Improves Flexibility And Joint Range Of Motion
Exercise helps keep the body flexible and mobile. Try to do exercises that use a full range of movement.
Exercise Improves Cardiovascular Strength
Doing exercise that increases your heart rate helps you maintain a healthy heart and cardiovascular system, reducing your risk of heart disease.
Myths About Exercising And Aging
Many people have misconstrued opinions of exercising as they get older. Here are common myths about exercise and facts to set the record straight.
Myth: There is no point in exercising, I’m going to get old anyway.
Fact: Exercise helps you look and feel younger. Regular physical activity lowers your risk of a number of health complications.
Myth: Older people should be saving their energy and rest.
Fact: Research shows that a sedentary lifestyle is dangerous for people over the age of 50. Inactivity causes older adults to become weak.
Myth: Exercise is dangerous for older people.
Fact: Regular exercise improves strength and stamina, prevents bone loss, and improves balance. It actually reduces your risk of falling.
Myth: I’m too old to start exercising.
Fact: It’s never too late to start exercising. If you haven’t worked out in a while or are new to exercising, start with light walking and other generic activities.
Exercising regularly is a great habit to develop. It can lengthen your lifespan and improve your overall quality of life.
Trisha Banks is a blogger for Matthew Boes M.D. Orthopaedic Surgery in Raleigh, North Carolina. Trisha exercises regularly and wants to know how it will benefit her as she ages.
