Maintaining physical health is very important for seniors nowadays. Having good health makes them feel more confident and independent. In this present blog post, we will focus on the crucial topic that why there is a need for exercise for seniors. Preventing mobility and loss of strength is important, because as aging starts our muscles start losing their strength. After the age of 30, an adult starts losing 3 to 5% of muscle mass, bone density goes down. With age, osteoporosis starts affecting every 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men after the age of 50 years and we start facing problems in making balance and flexibility. Maintaining good heart health also plays vital role, light cardio exercises help them to prevent various cardiovascular diseases, like heart attack, help in maintaining blood pressure, and also improve stamina. Physical activities helps in boosting the blood flow in the body, that help in reducing inflammation, enhance memory power, and also promote the growth of new neuron cells. Healthy mental health is a key, At this age, people generally go into depression due to loneliness. So to cheer them up we need a natural mood enhancer hormone commonly known as serotonin. Physical activities help in triggering the production of this hormone. Chronic disease management is necessary, Arthritis, and Diabetes are the common chronic diseases that people experience during aging. So to manage them also general exercising plays an important role in keeping their body active.
Some exercises for seniors
Staying active in old age is not so complicated, you just have to focus on your safety. Do whatever exercise suits your body, without pushing it harder.
- Strength training: building strong muscles helps you to stay fit, general stretching for arms, legs, and core using stretchy bands or dumbbells of 1 to 2 pounds can help.
- Aerobic activities: Starting the day with gentle cardio always helps, it allows one to maintain proper blood circulation, and heart pumping without putting more strain on joints. Walking is one of the best options to start, if someone faces difficulty in walking they can choose swimming. Water helps support the body and it is also considered as the best exercise for heart workouts.
- Flexibility and balancing: when it comes to seniors, we need to understand that no harsh exercises can be involved, so yoga and tai chi types of exercises are preferred for them. Yoga is considered the best choice as it does not require a person to be exhausted completely, they can do it while sitting on a chair, it involves stretching muscles and also boosts flexibility.
- Functional fitness: Regular activities like going to markets and lifting bags. Perform basic stretching, and creating imaginary barriers, etc.
How to overcome the barriers that stop them from doing exercises?
According to many surveys conducted in India, the common reasons that were observed behind not opting for regular exercise among seniors are the fear of injury, lack of motivation, chronic pains, etc. to overcome such issues they should consult to the physiotherapist that can guide them with light stretching exercises. Doing exercise in groups like laughter groups can boost their confidence and motivate them to do it regularly. Those who are not able to walk or stand properly due to limitations, they can choose sitting exercises like chair exercises, etc. Physical health is not just about keeping your body active, meeting people, making connections also plays very important role. Group activities like, senior dancing club, walking clubs, and many other communities that promote seniors gathering, makes them happy, allow them to enjoy their moments with full of joy, without the fear of anything also helps in keeping them mentally fit.
Role of technology
Online classes on YouTube, that provide them with easy aerobic exercises. Fitness tracking band helps them to keep track of their overall health including heart rate. It also has reminder facilities that keep them informed about taking medicines, drinking water, etc. Many health apps like SilverSneakers GO or MyFitnessPal, they help them to personalized their workout sessions, telehealth technology helps them to take virtual consultations with the experts. It also helps them to customize their diet plans. There are many other apps also that transforms fitness into game, like Ring Fit Adventure, it combines exercise with the interactive games. These kinds of innovative inventions help to attract more people towards it.
Conclusion
Staying active is the only way through which old people can stay healthy. it is important to keep yourself young and fit in every stage of life. For older people, health is the only key to independence, it’s never too late to start anything. Make walking, laughing sessions, and light activities part of your daily life, and be consistent with them.
