There are several reasons why the senior population needs to participate in physical activity. These reasons include reducing risk factors that can be life threatening and debilitating without participation in physical activity. It is our job as healthcare providers to educate our patients/clients in this special population. The most important way to keep them motivated is to make sure they are enjoying what they are doing as well as increasing their health-related quality of life.
Risk Factors That Are Reduced With Physical Activity1
- High blood pressure
Photo By: KARP Home care High cholesterol- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Stress
By incorporating daily physical activity you are able to reduce the above risk factors tremendously.
Benefits of Physical Activity2
- Increased cardiovascular and cardio-respiratory function
- Increased muscle mass, strength, and efficiency
- Increased flexibility, coordination, and balance
- Decreased cholesterol levels
- Improved weight control and nutrition
Research has shown that all individuals, regardless of age, can benefit from regular physical activity, vigorous or moderate. Mobility and functioning in older adults, including the frail, can be improved through physical activity. Regular physical activity reduces morbidity and mortality from chronic disease.1 Aerobic training reduces resting blood pressure in hypertensive young persons, and this training effect is evident in older, hypertensive adults as well.2
Most risk factors associated with disease increase with age, so the benefits of regular exercise for older adults are significant from a health perspective.2 Health benefits associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors include favorable changes in lipid profile, blood pressure, and body composition. This is why it is our job to make sure our patients are well educated on the benefits associated with physical activity. The benefits far outweigh the risks!
References:
1Exercise Programs In The Elderly: Risks and Benefits. Retrieved July 5, 2015, from Exercise Programs In The Elderly: Risks and Benefits
2Exercise and the Older Adult. Retrieved July 5, 2015, from https://www.acsm.org/docs/current-comments/exerciseandtheolderadult.pdf
I actually made a copy of this and gave it to my parents. As much as I talk about this ... it was nice to be able to print up all the facts, the reasons, the medical purpose of senior fitness to present to them. This is so critically important for seniors and I appreciate how you laid out first the risks and then the benefits. (Maybe they will listen to you!). Nice work.
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