Exercise and Aging
As we all know, there’s no avoiding the aging process. Throughout our life, we must prepare for the inevitable by either dropping our bad habits or incorporating exercise into our daily routine.
As we age, we begin to see a negative impact on our cardiovascular, digestive, and neurovascular system. Additionally, we will see a decrease in muscle mass, bone deposition, and memory. To counteract these detriments, we use exercise to prolong these effects on the body.
Overall, exercise will immediate positive impact on the body by…
- Improving physical and mental health
- Reduce morbidity and prolong life span
- Help prevent falls
- Reduce anxiety and depression
- Reduce pain symptoms
The Goal of Exercising with the Aging Process
The ultimate goal of exercise in the aging process is to prolong the degeneration of bone and muscle. Through a successful exercise intervention, we are able to manipulate the aging curve to slow down muscle and bone loss in an individual.
In time, it is important to assess you overall health and determine whether or not it is in your best interest to exercise under the supervision of a Physical Therapist or Exercise Specialist to ensure your safety or to even have a reference to consult with about overall health and wellness issues.
Benefits of Regular Exercise by an Aging Adult
For the aging population it is particularly important to exercise for overall health. By exercising under the supervision of your doctor or Physical Therapist, you are able to promote longevity through good health and wellness! Moreover, regular exercise results in changes across all areas of life including:
- Improved physical function (e.g., increased strength, posture, balance)
- Better psychological well-being (e.g., reduced stress, depression)
- Better social interactions with peers (joining clubs; volunteering; attending local shows/concerts)
Moreover, exercise results in improved cardiovascular fitness which directly reduces heart attack risk—the leading cause of death as we age.
Physical Therapy for Seniors
You don’t have to worry about your loved one falling anymore! Let us help them get back on their feet again with our expert physical therapy services that are designed just for seniors!
You can expect personalized treatment plans that are tailored to your specific needs and goals. With our team of experienced therapists, we know how important it is for seniors to maintain their independence as they age in place at home with dignity.
