10 reasons older people need exercise!

If 70 is the new 50, 60 the new 40 and 50 the new 30 then that means that the older you are today the younger you are compared with generations gone by. What this also means is that far from settling down to a sedentary life and taking things easier, many older people are leading really active lives. Lets face it, most people don’t feel their age and it seems that these days they’re not prepared to act it either.

According to the latest research keeping fit and exercising when you’re in your later years in life is still necessary and can have a huge impact on longevity and staving off all sorts of potential health problems too. The idea that fitness is the preserve of the young simply sounds archaic and out of touch in 2013. So, before you or a gray-haired somebody you know settles down to an armchair life existence, here’s 10 reasons older people need exercise:

1. Osteoporosis: Low bone density can lead to fractures and mobility problems and exercise can help decrease the risk. With over half of the over 50s showing some signs of the disease in the US, this is a real and present danger to millions. Studies suggest exercise improves bone mass, density and strength.
2. Flexibility: When bending over has the same movement and perhaps even internal sound as a creaking, door that hasn’t had its hinges oiled in a while, then it’s time to get into the swing of exercise. Muscles and joints seize up quickly the older you get and this causes aches and pains.
3. Independence: Regardless of all the physical aspects of exercise, a major plus point is being fit enough not to rely on others. Nobody wants to be a burden on another person as they get older and keeping fit and healthy is a personal responsibility.
4. Balanced state of mind: Life is about change and you don’t have to be working and raising a family to feel the strain. Dealing with physical changes in your own body, retirement and shifting family dynamics are challenges which many older people have to deal with. Exercise is great at balancing hormones and lowering stress levels.
5. Social life: If you’re not working and the family have long since flown the nest it can be easy for older people to become isolated, or at least not socialize enough. For anyone living alone, it can often be easy to imagine a few days passing without any human contact at all. Joining a fitness community is nurturing as humans are social animals, and this applies to you whether you’re outgoing or not.
6. Quality of life: If you are active and make a concerted effort to keep fit beyond everyday activities, then the world really opens up for you. If you’ve got the free time to enjoy it then even better!
7. Cognitive functions: While crosswords are believed by some to keep your mind sharp, so is exercise. There’s some convincing research that physical activity is healthy for the brain and mind. Memory loss and problems such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Dementia have all been researched in relation to exercise and the results to date seem positive. Certainly, having a focus in life is not a bad thing and if exercise is good for the rest of the body then why not the brain too?
8. Reducing risk of disease: Name a couple of frightening diseases – such as heart disease and diabetes – both of which are big killers the world over, and this point alone is reason enough to keep fit through cardiovascular exercise that keeps your system running and your body performing at its best.
9. Circulation: Your blood flow decreases as you get older and other health conditions can exacerbate this too, such as bad diet, smoking and cholesterol. Bad circulation can lead to problems that can be debilitating, not to mention the constant tingling and aches that this problem can cause too.
10. Metabolism: If you have a good appetite then you need your body to be breaking down and digesting your fuel as efficiently as possible. A bad lifestyle can slow down this process and age naturally makes your engine a little sluggish. Exercise is an ideal boost.

Whether you’ve always lived an active life, or realize the importance of fitness years later, the fact is that age is not a barrier to keeping fit!