Stay Senior Fit
Aging affects everyone differently but it seems to be a lot kinder to those who keep their health and independence. Staying fit doesn't guarantee you'll always be well but it improves the odds and enhances quality of life.
A healthy heart is a great place to start. The heart becomes less efficient as it ages, meaning a decline in energy and endurance. Regular physical activity can help maintain a healthy weight, lower blood pressure and reduce stiffening of the arteries.
Throughout adulthood you lose some of the mineral content in your bones, meaning they shrink in size and density, becoming more susceptible to fracture. By age 80 it's common to have lost as much 5 cm in height due to the compression of joints, spinal bone and spinal discs. Strength training can help rebuild bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Strength and flexibility in muscles also decreases with age. This can make it more challenging to perform everyday activities that require lifting, pushing or pulling. When you are young you take these skills for granted but as you age they are not a given. Reduction in lean muscle mass can also cause difficulty with co-ordination and balance.
With these changes in the nature of bones and muscles it’s no surprise that around 1 in 3 New Zealanders over 65 suffer a fall each year. Falls can cause a range of injuries. The seriousness of the fall and the recovery period largely depend on your fitness and health. Many people who fall develop a fear of falling again which causes them to limit their activities. This leads to reduced confidence and loss of fitness which then increase the risk of falling.
The body works on the “use it or lose it” principle - mobility and functionality are keys to independence and important to protect. This principle applies to the brain as well, check out my article on how exercise helps with cognitive function. Regular exercise also supports healthy sleep patterns. Circadian rhythms change as you age, often causing a reduction in quality and quantity of sleep. Expending physical energy is a great way to promote better sleep, and that helps with brain function and quality of life too.
The gym is a fun, safe environment for exercise. A gym program can be adapted for any physical limitations or health concerns and it’s great to exercise in a safe, supervised environment close to water and amenities. Every new interest is an opportunity to stimulate the brain and interact with people of different ages and lifestyles.
Clearly age need not be a barrier to fitness and vitality. A lifelong investment in health and fitness pays great dividends in quality of life.
A healthy heart is a great place to start. The heart becomes less efficient as it ages, meaning a decline in energy and endurance. Regular physical activity can help maintain a healthy weight, lower blood pressure and reduce stiffening of the arteries.
Throughout adulthood you lose some of the mineral content in your bones, meaning they shrink in size and density, becoming more susceptible to fracture. By age 80 it's common to have lost as much 5 cm in height due to the compression of joints, spinal bone and spinal discs. Strength training can help rebuild bones and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Strength and flexibility in muscles also decreases with age. This can make it more challenging to perform everyday activities that require lifting, pushing or pulling. When you are young you take these skills for granted but as you age they are not a given. Reduction in lean muscle mass can also cause difficulty with co-ordination and balance.
With these changes in the nature of bones and muscles it’s no surprise that around 1 in 3 New Zealanders over 65 suffer a fall each year. Falls can cause a range of injuries. The seriousness of the fall and the recovery period largely depend on your fitness and health. Many people who fall develop a fear of falling again which causes them to limit their activities. This leads to reduced confidence and loss of fitness which then increase the risk of falling.
The body works on the “use it or lose it” principle - mobility and functionality are keys to independence and important to protect. This principle applies to the brain as well, check out my article on how exercise helps with cognitive function. Regular exercise also supports healthy sleep patterns. Circadian rhythms change as you age, often causing a reduction in quality and quantity of sleep. Expending physical energy is a great way to promote better sleep, and that helps with brain function and quality of life too.
The gym is a fun, safe environment for exercise. A gym program can be adapted for any physical limitations or health concerns and it’s great to exercise in a safe, supervised environment close to water and amenities. Every new interest is an opportunity to stimulate the brain and interact with people of different ages and lifestyles.
Clearly age need not be a barrier to fitness and vitality. A lifelong investment in health and fitness pays great dividends in quality of life.