Research has shown that as one grows older, your body slows down. When that happens, it might be tempting to lead a sedentary lifestyle. Chronic diseases and pain could impact one’s agility and mobility, and psychological factors like the fear of falling could play a major part as well.
Nevertheless, the most dangerous thing a person can do is to be sedentary. From a biological point of view, regular exercise helps your cells age slower and thus someone who is physically active could have a body age ten to twenty years younger than their actual age. Regular exercise does not only bring about physical benefits but mental ones as well. Exercise produces endorphins in your brains which calm you down and brighten your mood.
While most elderly might balk at the thought of “regular exercise”, thinking that that equates to running a marathon or swimming in the open sea, that cannot be further from the truth. Twenty minutes of light- to moderate-intensity exercise per day is good enough to keep yourself fit. Read on to find out more about the most suitable kinds of exercise for aging adults.
Walking
Walking is something one does every day, be it walking to the bathroom in the morning to brush your teeth, to walking to your local butcher or grocer for daily errands. Healthcare professionals recommend that individuals take at least 10,000 steps a day, and research has shown that those who do so are twice as unlikely to die in the next decade as their sedentary counterparts.
Considering the ubiquity of walking in our daily lives, it is an exercise that can easily be incorporated into our daily activities. For instance, instead of taking a bus ride to the nearest mall, you could alight two bus stops earlier and walk the remaining distance.
At Discovery Village At Twin Creeks, our aesthetically pleasing grounds and courtyards offer our residents the perfect environment for a leisurely stroll any time of the day.
Cycling
Cycling is a low-impact exercise and is ideal for aging adults who want to maintain, or increase their lower limb strength but are unable to engage in high-impact sports such as running due to joint issues. As cycling is a cardio activity, it helps in the maintenance of an aging adult’s cardiovascular and metabolic health. Cycling also has psychological benefits; research has shown that the elderly who cycle regularly have better cognitive function than those who do not.
Swimming
Swimming is another low-impact exercise that places little to no stress on the bones and joints and is often referred to as the “perfect exercise” for aging adults. It not only regulates one’s cardiovascular health but also builds up one’s muscles. Water-resistance also ensures that you burn more calories in the same amount of time as you would for a land-based exercise. Swimming is also highly therapeutic and works wonders for your mental well-being.
At Discovery Village At Twin Creeks, the physical and mental wellness of our residents are of utmost importance to us. Hence, our Dimensions Health & Wellness program offers a variety of exercise classes for them to attend, and professional trainers will be there to guide them every step along the way and attain their fitness goals.
