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EXERCISE FOR THE ELDERLY

The advantage of regular exercise is that it can greatly improve the general health and lives of all senior adults, regardless of whether they lead inactive or moderately active lifestyles. You cannot do away with exercise just because of health conditions. Rather regular activity and strength training can improve your failing health conditions.

However always consult a doctor before taking the plunge.

 

 

Seniors accustomed to a sedentary lifestyle should make arrangements for an exercise program, which will gradually build up, to a minimum of thirty minutes of fairly intense workouts. It should be coupled with some weight-bearing workouts. Moderately active seniors should aim at increasing the intensity of activity. They should concentrate on improving the condition of specific areas of their body. The target should be a thirty-minute period of activity for all fitness levels.

 

 

General fitness and cardiovascular health can be improved and excess weight can be eliminated through aerobic exercise. Resistance and weight-bearing exercises are recommended for improved strength and a reduction in risk for osteoporosis. Abdominal curls and static stretching help in toning muscles and maintaining flexibility, while improving lower back strength.

 

 

You can accelerate the heart rate and breathing by taking the help of endurance exercise which will help to condition the circulatory system, lungs and the heart. You can also postpone or prevent many old age diseases by building endurance.

 

 

The function of strength exercise is to increase muscle mass and general strength, at the same time keeping weight levels and blood sugar levels balanced and regulating metabolism. Thus strength exercises minimize the risk for common obesity related ailments like diabetes, because it helps in reduction of weight in fat people.

 

 

Overall body toning and conditioning can be achieved through stretching or flexibility exercises. Faster healing of injuries is a direct result of having a very flexible body.

 

 

The advantage of balance exercises is that they build muscles in legs and arms to prevent falls and improve equilibrium. These are issues of grave concern to senior adults.

 

 

It is necessary to perform all the types of exercise as a well-rounded program. But it is advisable to gradually increase the activity because, through a sudden change in the level of exertion, you can seriously injure yourself. Improvements should always be gradually made, regardless of the fitness level.

 

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