Taking care of our bodies through exercise is important at any age, but as we get older, being active becomes all the more critical.
Regular exercise can help prevent or delay chronic diseases, extend your lifespan by years, reduce your chance of injury, and improve your overall physical and mental health.
Exercise isn’t something that ‘young’ people do. As we age we need to stay active too, and here’s why.
As we get older our bodies get less efficient. Our blood pressure, blood viscosity (thickness) and body fat rise, while our muscle mass and bone mineral density reduce. This is natural as we age. But as exercise has the exact opposite effects on our bodies, it is a great way to keep ourselves feeling young and staying healthy.
But if you’ve already been diagnosed with a disease or disability, regular exercise can often improve health conditions/complications.
It is highly recommended that you see your physician or physical therapist first before starting a new physical activity program. (proper diagnosis based on your current condition and chronic pain)
If you need more convincing to get moving, here are top important and significant benefits…
- Regular exercise can prevent or delay illness or disability. Exercise can be an effective tool for prevention and management of several chronic conditions. Exercise can lower your risk of developing a serious condition and it can minimize symptoms after certain conditions have already developed.
Studies have shown that people with heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, and arthritis can all benefit from regular exercise. Regular exercise can reduce your blood pressure, your blood glucose levels, and decrease your LDL cholesterol. These specific benefits will remarkably lower your risk of heart disease and your chances of having a stroke.
Exercise can also improve your bone, joint, and muscle health. Exercise can be the most crucial and conservative option for arthritis management. Regular, low impact activity helps lubricate the joints and reduce your overall pain and stiffness associated with arthritis.
- Extending Lifespan/Living Longer. Sedentary lifestyle is one of the leading causes of death and disability. A healthy heart and lungs make the body run more effectively and efficiently as we age. Research has shown, that the effects of regular low level exercise can increase your lifespan by around three to five years.
- Physical activity can help reduce one’s risk for Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive decline.
- Stay active for brain health. “Use it, or lose it,” geriatric specialist Ronan Factora, MD says. “The more activity you do, the better off your brain function.” Researchers from Rush University Medical Center used MRI scans of 167 people in their eighties to determine brain damage as a natural result of aging. Participants also wore a movement monitor to measure daily activity.
The scans detect small areas of brain damage that are common in elders and known to cause mobility dysfunction, like trouble walkingStudy results showed that people who were the most active had no ill effects on mobility despite having these areas of brain damage. People who were least active had more mobility problems related to brain damage.
- Mental Health Benefits. Your mental health can greatly improve with physical activity. Exercise helps reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression and can help reduce the risk of developing serious conditions, such as dementia. Exercise can also enhance your immunity and boost your gastrointestinal function. A healthy, strong body can fight off disease and infection more swiftly and rapidly.
Enduring “PAIN” is not the end of the world. Ask a consultation, check your lifestyle, be active and do proper exercise.
It’s my mission to help you on your path to becoming pain-free.
Why not book an appointment to help you out with your own exercise plan and help you achieve your health and wellness goals this 2018!
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