Moderate Exercise for Seniors

Moderate exercise for seniors is more important to your health than previously thought. The news that exercise is important for maintaining good health, as we age, is not new. But, a new research study from the University of Florida along with the University of Maryland now reports that daily moderate exercise can actually mean the difference between becoming a housebound senior to one that is able to keep up with activities of daily living.

Prevents Becoming Housebound

The study, Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) published in the Journal of American Medical Association analyzed 1, 635 participants from the ages of 70 to 89 years old. Eight different study centers throughout the US were utilized. All participants had a sedentary lifestyle, and were able to walk a quarter of a mile in 15 minutes. All were at high risk for losing their mobility. Low physical activity in aging seniors increases the risk for admissions to alternative living settings such as nursing home, hospitalizations and even death.

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This is an understudied area of aging and the researchers felt it was important to study the effects of exercise in aging seniors that were a high risk for the events previously mentioned.

The seniors were separated into 2 groups. 818 seniors in the first group were required to perform daily moderate exercise that included 150 minutes a week of strength training, balance and flexibility exercises. This group was monitored twice a week for 2.6 years. The second group included 817 individuals that were required to attend classes on health education and do stretching exercises.

The results of the study found that over a 2.6 year period the participants in the moderate exercise group had an 18% higher walking ability and a 28% reduction in the loss of mobility, than the participants that attended the health education classes.

The good news is that moderate exercise for seniors can have a positive impact on the independence of aging seniors. This study also determined that aging seniors that had physical activity intervention improved when they did experience issues with mobility.

Exercising regularly can offer numerous benefits for older adults. Moderate exercise has been proven to help maintain independence, strength and balance, as well as reduce the risk of falls that are common in aging populations. Additionally, moderate exercise can improve overall physical and mental health in older adults.

Moderate exercise activities such as walking, jogging, swimming or cycling have shown to strengthen bones and muscles which helps prevent injuries associated with aging. Regular physical activity can also aid with improving mood while helping to reduce anxiety and depression. Older adults who engage in regular physical activity may experience improved sleep quality and an overall better quality of life.

Regular moderate exercise is also beneficial for cognitive function in older adults by improving memory and concentration levels. Exercise also helps to regulate blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, stroke and heart disease.

Therefore, engaging in regular moderate exercise can have a profound impact on physical and cognitive health for older adults. Older adults should consider adding physical activity into their daily routine to reap these many benefits. Talk to your doctor or healthcare provider first to determine what type of exercise will be most beneficial for you. With regular exercise, you can maintain independence, strength, balance and enjoy a higher quality of life as you age.

The results of the The study, Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) published in the Journal of American Medical Association , concluded that "engaging in physical activity can help maintain independence and better overall health in older adults". This study shows the great benefits of regular moderate exercise for older adults. With regular exercise, you can maintain independence, strength and balance as you age. It is important to talk to your doctor or healthcare provider first to determine what type of exercise will be most beneficial for you. Exercise regularly and enjoy the many benefits it can provide for your physical and mental health!