Best Senior Physical Exercises to Remain Powerful and Fit
Tuesday, September 20th, 2011
Exercise should be a part of your daily schedule, and senior fitness exercises are specifically designed for older adults to help them stay robust, fit and cope better with the aging process.
According to FamilyDoctor.org , “even patients who've chronic sicknesses such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and arthritis can exercise safely”. The trick's to find exercises that are fun, entertaining and can benefit an aged body , without overworking or damaging it.
The point of senior physical exercises is not to burn energy or increase muscle bulk, but to build strength, endurance, balance and health for a better standard of living and healthy aging. The best physical actions for the elderly are, as follows:
- Swimming
Swimming is a best-ever favourite activity of gerontologists and senior adults alike. The advantages of swimming seem particularly adapted to meet the requirements of seniors, as activity done in the water alleviates the pressure off unpleasant muscles and joints. The movements are light and don't strain the body, and swimming also can help to build muscles. Additionally, it has a powerful positive result on the heart and circulation system.
- Walking
It's as simple as it sounds – walking can be done at the precise pace a senior is ok with. It improves cardiovascular function and strengthens leg, pelvic and spinal bones, as well as leg and central muscles. Start slow and take care, and after you get the knack of it you can raise your daily walks. For the aged or those in recovery it is advocated to stroll with a partner who pushes a wheelchair, in case. Even in these circumstances, walking means building the will to fight against permanent immobility.
- In-Home Exercises
Lots of the senior physical exercises can simply be done in the home, as they are often softer versions of common exercise routines like wall push-ups (push up against a wall rather than the floor) and lightweight arm curls, each of which can aid in building robust chest and arm muscles. Many exercises may also be done from a chair, for example “squats” – lifting your body a short distance from the chair without using arms or momentum – or leg lifts. Such exercises are straightforward and convenient to do, and help maintain bone and muscle strength across the body.
As any sort of exercises , however , senior physical exercises should be done thoroughly, without pushing your boundaries. Seniors must be especially aware of warning signs such as fatigue, chest pain or pressure, excessive shortness of breath, intense pain, dizziness or nausea while exercising. If any of these symptoms happen stop exercising straight away. If they endure at the same magnitude, consult a physician as fast as practicable.
Jeremy J. Ross is a recognised researcher in aging science and he is doing studies on centers for healthy aging. To discover more about aging research visit http://www.AmericanAgingResearch.org