May 17, 2017 www.coshoctonbeacontoday.com
THE BEACON
9B
Exercise and aging: Addressing common
concerns about exercise after 50
Exercise is an essential element of a
healthy lifestyle. Including exercise in
your daily routine can lower your risk for
diabetes, heart disease and stroke, and
exercise can even sharpen mental acuity,
reduce anxiety and improve mood. But
as beneficial as exercise can be, many
men and women, particularly men and
women over the age of 50, who have
not laced up their sneakers in years are
hesitant to begin an exercise regimen for
a variety of reasons, potentially putting
their long-term health at risk.
Regardless of a person’s age, beginning
a new exercise regimen can be intimi-
dating. But it’s especially so for men and
women over the age of 50, who might not
know where to begin or how to approach
adopting a healthier lifestyle. According
to the National Institute on Aging, the fol-
lowing are a few points men and women
should know as they attempt to improve
their physical fitness with a more active
lifestyle.
Exercise is safe even if you have not
been physically active in a long time.
Many older men and women worry that
suddenly embracing physical fitness after
years of inactivity may be detrimental to
their health. But that’s only true if men
and women don’t exercise caution at the
outset of their routines. When beginning
the routine, take things very slowly at
first, choosing to walk or bike every day
rather than hitting the treadmill and
adjusting it to maximum resistance.
When strength training, start off with
very little weight so your muscles can
grow acclimated to the motions and you
can get the exercises down pat. As you
grow more comfortable and your body
starts to feel more up to the challenges of
daily exercise, you can begin to gradually
alter your cardiovascular and strength
training workouts to make them more
challenging.
Exercise can make existing medical
conditions more manageable. Men and
women over the age of 50 who have
preexisting medical conditions are likely
to find that exercise alleviates rather than
exacerbates their physical problems. The
NIA notes that studies have shown that
regular exercise and physical activity can
benefit people with arthritis, high blood
pressure and heart disease. But it’s still
recommended that men and women
with preexisting medical conditions con-
sult with their physicians before making
any lifestyle changes. Some conditions
may affect a person’s ability to be active,
and it’s best to get the go-ahead from a
physician before beginning an exercise
regimen. Doctors may even suggest cer-
tain activities that have been known to
alleviate particular conditions.
Exercise reduces fatigue, so sitting
around to preserve strength is not ef-
fective. Exercise improves strength and
energy levels, so sitting on the sideline
to preserve your strength is counterpro-
ductive and could lead to serious med-
ical problems. The “Report on Physical
Activity and Health” from the U.S.
Surgeon General’s office noted that men
and women who are inactive are almost
twice as likely to develop heart disease
as those who are more active. While
getting adequate rest and giving your
body ample time recover from physical
activity is essential, your body won’t
benefit by avoiding exercise to preserve
your strength. However, even moderate
physical activity performed on a regular
basis can reduce fatigue.
No one is too old to exercise. It’s not
uncommon for men and women in their
golden years to think they are too old
to exercise. Some may feel that their
toned down workouts cannot possibly
be making much of an impact thanks to
the physical limitations old age has put
on their bodies, while others may think
it’s unwise for someone in their 70s or 80s
to be physically active. But no one is too
old to exercise, as exercise helps the body
stay strong and fit even when you can
no longer max out on the bench press or
squat hundreds of pounds. Scaling back
your exercise routine will be necessary
as you get older, but that does not mean
you cannot still enjoy and benefit from
physical activity.
Continuing to exercise as you age is a
great way to improve your quality of life
and stay as active as possible well into
your golden years.
Contributed | metrocreativeconnection.com
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Every Thursday at 10 a.m. at the Roscoe United Methodist Church gym, the Coshocton
Public Library offer gentle Chi exercise classes that improve balance, promote flexibil-
ity, lower blood pressure, and increase vitality. These classes are free and open to the
public and require no previous experience.
255 Brown’s Lane,
Coshocton OH 43812
740-623-4600
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Windsorwood Place is an affiliate of Abbington Communities as a senior care alternative.