There are numerous reasons. Sanitation has been improved, technology has improved, and there is ongoing improvements in medical treatment and diagnosis. The life expectancy for Australians now is 79 years for males and 84 years for females. We are an ageing population. With age however, it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain a healthy and happy lifestyle.
Not so shockingly, ageing well is strongly correlated with the amount of exercise you do.
We all know that exercise is good for us, but some people think that with age, they should try to do less and take it easy. Wrong.
Research shows that regular exercise for the elderly offers great benefits, including extending lifespan and more importantly, improving quality of life. Contrary to popular belief, poor balance and weakness are actually linked to inactivity, rather than age.
Some of the many benefits of exercise for the elderly include:
- Living longer: According to the World Health Organisation, leading a sedentary lifestyle is one of the ten leading causes of death and disability.
- Prevention of falls: Exercise can help improve muscle strength and bone density which is not only helpful in preventing falls, but is helpful in preventing fractures.
- Reduces the risk of stroke and heart attacks: Cardiovascular exercise helps increase blood flow by increasing heart rate and thus boost overall health
- Reduces the risk of developing dementia
- Prevention or delay disease such as diabetes, infection and cholesterol as exercise can help boost immunity.
- Gaining more confidence and independence
- Allows for social engagement: Studies have shown that with increasing age comes more social isolation, leading to depression. Therefore, joining a seniors exercise class or joining local walking groups will allow for ageing adults to gain a sense of purpose and avoid feelings of loneliness.
If you are- or you know anyone who is- over 65 years, obese, suffering from a chronic condition, feeling lonely and/or living a largely sedentary lifestyle, see your physiotherapist or doctor before beginning any new exercise routine. Here at Back in Motion Point Cook, we offer seniors a discounted rate at $10 per class, so please don’t hesitate to book a Free Initial Assessment with one of our physiotherapists who will devise a safe, individualised exercise program and help get you on the road to a longer, healthier and happier life.
Author:
Amanda - Physiotherapist at Back In Motion Point Cook
Amanda and Physios at Back In Motion Point Cook & Back In Motion Werribee conduct regular group rehablitation sessions at Werribee & Point Cook.
References:
1. Betterhealth.vic.gov.au. (2019). Physical activity for seniors. [online] Available at: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/physical-activity-for-seniors [Accessed 7 Jan. 2019].
2. Ngandu, T., Lehtisalo, J., Solomon, A., Levälahti, E., Ahtiluoto, S., Antikainen, R., ... & Lindström, J. (2015). A 2 year multidomain intervention of diet, exercise, cognitive training, and vascular risk monitoring versus control to prevent cognitive decline in at-risk elderly people (FINGER): a randomised controlled trial. The Lancet, 385(9984), 2255-2263.
3. Tarazona-Santabalbina, F. J., Gómez-Cabrera, M. C., Pérez-Ros, P., Martínez-Arnau, F. M., Cabo, H., Tsaparas, K., ... & Viña, J. (2016). A multicomponent exercise intervention that reverses frailty and improves cognition, emotion, and social networking in the community-dwelling frail elderly: a randomized clinical trial. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 17(5), 426-433.
4. Yanfang, L. I., Niu, Q., & Wang, J. (2016). Aerobic exercise, cardiac function, heart rate recovery and the quality of life of elderly heart disease patients. Chinese Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 38(1), 39-42.