Seniors

The good news is that it’s never too late to start an active lifestyle. No matter how old you are, how unfit you feel, or how long you’ve been inactive, research shows that starting a more active lifestyle now through regular, moderate intensity activity can make you healthier and improve your quality of life.

No one is too old to enjoy the benefits of regular physical activity. Evidence indicates that muscle strengthening exercises can reduce the risk of falling and fracturing bones and can improve the ability to live independently.

Regular physical activity can help people with chronic, disabling conditions improve their stamina and muscle strength. It also can improve psychological well-being and quality of life by increasing the ability to perform the activities of daily life.

The following recommendations are offered:

• Moderate amount of physical activity, preferably daily.
• Moderately intense activities = walking or swimming.
• Vigorous activities = fast walking or stair-climbing.
• Greater amounts of physical activity can bring more benefits. Should not be done excessively, or your risk of injury will increase.
• Participate in resistance exercise a few times a week. These activities reduce the risk of falling and improve the ability to perform daily tasks. The loss of strength and stamina attributed to aging is due, in part, to reduced physical activity.
• NOTE – Older adults and people with disabilities should consult their physicians before starting a new physical activity.