| In the olden days it was believed that exercise was | | | | chances of having a bad fall in old age. Statistics |
| strictly for the younger generation. In fact most | | | | reveal that every year nearly 300,000 seniors are |
| people were convinced that older people couldn't | | | | admitted with broken hips owing to a bad fall. |
| increase their muscle mass or strength however hard | | | | Slow stretching exercises help to keep the muscles |
| they tried. Today, these myths have been shattered | | | | well toned as well as the joints more flexible. This |
| by detailed research studies conducted at Harvard | | | | helps maintain good balance as well as increases the |
| and elsewhere. | | | | range of ones movement so that one experiences |
| Studies have revealed that exercise for people in the | | | | less pain during exercise and daily activities. |
| 50 plus age group is decidedly healthy. As one grows | | | | Endurance exercises on the other hand help in |
| older metabolism slows down that often leads to fat | | | | increasing the rate of metabolism,keep the heart and |
| accumulation if one isn't fit and healthy. Also artery | | | | lungs healthy and the joints more flexible.A slightly |
| passages become narrow leading to high blood | | | | higher metabolic rate induces the production of |
| pressure and heart ailments. Muscles and skin lose | | | | essential biochemicals which helps the body function |
| tone and older women especially are prone to | | | | better and longer. |
| suffering from Osteoporosis- a disease where the | | | | All these exercises help in delaying aging and slow |
| bones become brittle and porous. | | | | down the onset of Osteoporosis while minimizing its |
| These effects of aging can be reversed or slowed | | | | effects.When people lead an active life they are less |
| down to a certain degree with regular exercise | | | | prone to having Non-Insulin dependent diabetes |
| appropriate to ones age. At least fifteen to sixty | | | | mellitus and certain types of coronary diseases. |
| minutes of oxygen enhancing exercises a few days a | | | | An active body means an active mind as well.From |
| week is recommended by the ACSM (American | | | | the psychological point of view exercise helps to curb |
| college of Sports Medicine). | | | | depression and heightens the mood.It also forms a |
| Our main aim should be to raise the heart rate to at | | | | good social activity for elderly people to participate in |
| least 60-90% of the safe maximum which is 220 | | | | and they can alleviate feelings of isolation that stem |
| beats per minute minus the present age. A good | | | | from the fact that their friends and loved ones are |
| cardiovascular workout which may include a brisk 30 | | | | no longer with them. |
| minute walk or three 10 minute walks per day, slow | | | | It is advised that older people should consult |
| jogging, swimming or a dance routine help to keep | | | | preferably both a physician and a trainer before |
| the heart and blood vessels in check. | | | | starting a new exercise program. They should work |
| In order to keep ones weight under control and the | | | | at gradually increasing their energy levels, flexibility |
| muscles well toned one must indulge in strength | | | | and strength by exercising a little at a time. |
| building exercises. Balancing exercises are particularly | | | | It is important to discuss any medical condition one |
| good for building strong leg muscles. This also leads | | | | has with ones physician and sports expert so that |
| to better support for the joints and decreases ones | | | | they can develop an exercise regime that is suitable. |