Exercise and the Elderly
Research has conclusively demonstrated that vigorous physical activity, especially if it is recreational, has been linked to increased longevity. Get more physical, not less.
The amount of exercise needed depends on the person, but in general, people need to step up their activity as they get older. Elderly people often do the opposite, because of bad knees or arthritis.
It is never too late to start exercising.
At any age, even small improvements in physical fitness and activity (such as walking regularly) can prolong life and independent living. Still, about half of Americans over 60 describe themselves as sedentary.
If you are like most people, you know that exercise is good for you, yet you cannot seem to get moving. We must make a deliberate, planned effort to exercise. The key to becoming a regular exerciser is to change from within: a positive attitude to exercise can bring many benefits.
Pick an activity you enjoy or have enjoyed in the past, such as walking, dancing, cycling, swimming, or gardening and make a commitment to doing it regularly. Focus on making the experience as pleasant as possible. For example, solicit support; ask a friend to be your exercise partner, if companionship is appealing.
Start slowly, with as little as five minutes of activity, and progress gradually. If you have been sedentary, accept the fact that it may take you months to be able to move continuously for 30 minutes.
Recognize that you may feel some discomfort at first.
Over time, you will get stronger and these early aches will fade. If you choose to embark on a vigorous activity and you are over the age of 50, or have risk factors for heart disease, check with your doctor before starting any exercise program.
The following exercise tips may be helpful:
*The easiest way to start a physical fitness regimen is to start with stretching exercises
(flexibility exercises). Stretching movements promote healthy muscle growth and reduce the stiffness and loss of balance that accompanies aging.
*If you are hesitant to start a vigorous exercise program, consider others methods of being physically active. Walking, bicycling, swimming, aerobic water exercises, and gardening are very good exercise options.
*Water exercises are especially beneficial for the elderly and have been shown to have similar cardiovascular benefits for older people as "on the ground" aerobic exercises.
*For those who have led a sedentary lifestyle for a long time, low impact aerobics, tai chi, or self-paced walking are very beneficial.
Start slowly. Even for those confined to a nursing home, there are programs geared towards improving strength and flexibility.
*Most people assume that strength training is unnecessary and unattainable after the age of 60. However, the opposite is true. As one ages, adding resistance training to a regular exercise program can reduce the process of muscular erosion. Strength training also improves heart and blood vessel health and general well being.
BENEFITS OF EXERCISE:
A sedentary lifestyle is one of the major risk factors for coronary artery disease, along with smoking, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Exercise, however, improves heart health in people and can reverse some risk factors, including the effects of smoking. People who exercise the most often have the lowest risk for heart disease and stroke.
Exercise provides the following benefits:
*Reduces your risk of developing certain types of cancer such as prostate, colon, and breast.
*Reduces your risk of: diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
*Helps you maintain a healthy weight by increasing your metabolism.
*Increases energy and endurance.
*Helps relieve stress, anxiety, and depression.
*Contributes to better, more restful sleep.
Eating a healthy, nutritious diet and following a regular exercise program are the keys to living your best life. No matter what your age, it is NEVER too late to start moving!.
Home Exercise Equipment
Home exercise equipment represents all items that complete a home gym. Due to its advantages such as convenience, freedom, and possibility of intense workouts, home gym has become quite popular over the last several years. Further, a home gym is economical, as it eliminates problems such as time wasted driving to the health club and costly membership fee.
Home exercise is now an integral part of everyday life, as it is able to fit very neatly into one's busy schedule. Home exercise equipment include items such as abdominal machines, cardio kickboxing gear, dumbbells, elliptical machines, exercise bikes, exercise mats, forearm equipment, gym rack systems, leg machines, lifting straps, spirit treadmills and yoga equipments.
Most of this equipment is compact, durable, lightweight, safe and versatile. Good home exercise equipment has the ability to reduce the negative effects of a hectic work schedules. They serve as a means to correct and prevent such chronic ailments...
Home Exercise Equipment
Exercise > Home Exercise Equipment
Exercise and the Elderly
Research has conclusively demonstrated that vigorous physical activity, especially if it is recreational, has been linked to increased longevity. Get more physical, not less.
The amount of exercise needed depends on the person, but in general, people need to step up their activity as they get older. Elderly people often do the opposite, because of bad knees or arthritis.
It is never too late to start exercising.
At any age, even small improvements in physical fitness and activity (such as walking regularly) can prolong life and independent living. Still, about half of Americans over 60 describe themselves as sedentary.
If you are like most people, you know that exercise is good for you, yet you cannot seem to get moving. We must make a deliberate, planned effort to exercise. The key to becoming a regular exerciser is to change from within: a positive attitude to exercise can bring many benefits.
Pick an activity...
Exercise > Exercise and the Elderly
Warning! Lack of Exercise Could Be Harmful To Your Heath
You know it's bad when the Surgeon General issues a warningthat lack of exercise is hazardous to your health. And thatwas back in '96. Since then, the stats haven't improved much,either: 25% of the American population is still sedentary and60% do not exercise regularly (Reference: http://www.cdc.gov).For fitness minded folks, we could do worse than to follow the"hour-a-day" prescription outlined by the Surgeon General'sHealthy People Report. It's just a guideline, of course and,as you already know, any amount of activity packed into yourbusy schedule is going to earn you healthy rewards. But thereare plenty of other reasons to exercise."If people exercised only moderately," says Janet Kneiss,Physical Therapist, "there would be far less incidence ofinjury.
The 15 or so people I see daily, who come in withback and neck problems, usually don't want to exercise, theywant a quick fix."The solution as she sees it? "I think, if people could just reframe the idea of it [exercise]being...
Warning! Lack of Exercise Could Be Harmful To Your Heath
Exercise > Warning! Lack of Exercise Could Be Harmful To Your Heath
Exercise
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