Guest Post by Joel
A lot of things change as you get older. You may go from working to retired. You may go from waking up to a long to-do list to waking up with a blank day of no plans most of the time. It is often believed that people are naturally less active as they get older, but that attitude may be hurting the world?s population. Many countries are now experiencing large populations of people over the age of sixty, and studies are showing that many of them are not very active. The lack of daily activity is believed to be behind the growing numbers of disease and mobility problems in the aging population.
In response the increasingly aging population around the world, government-sponsored programs are starting to pop up. For example, Finland has established the Strength in Old Age program. This is just one example of a government-funded program aimed at increasing mobility and extending the life expectancy of citizens. This is in direct response to the growing population of the elderly in Finland, so the program targets problems affecting that population alone.
These programs are also being found in many other countries, including the United States. The goal is to combat the mobility problems that many people experience after the age of sixty. This will improve the quality of life for the elderly while helping lower the incidents of cancer, heart attack, and other health problems so prevalent today in the older populations.
Protecting Mobility through Exercise
How can something as simple as increasing cardiovascular exercise later in life lead to a longer life expectancy? Most people would assume that the exercise controls body weight and helps reduce risk of disease and illness, but that is only part of the picture. Studies are showing that aerobic capacity decreases as you age, but that it decreases quicker in people who are not active in daily life.
It is believed that increasing cardiovascular activity in older people will improve aerobic capacity in the elderly. What does that mean? It means that older people will have higher quality of life, as they will be able to walk up stairs, get up from a standing position, carry laundry baskets, and do other things that require adequate flow of oxygen throughout the body and to the lungs.
Cardiovascular exercise improves blood circulation throughout the body and challenges the lungs so they become more efficient. Light strength training can also improve strength and reduce the risk of injury. It can even increase bone density so there are fewer broken bones in the elderly population.
The Time Is Now
If programs that encourage exercise in populations over the age of sixty lead to a healthier elderly population, what would encouraging exercise in younger populations do for society? It makes sense that those who have remained active throughout their lives would have greater mobility and health when they join the older populations. This makes the case for programs that encourage exercise in all populations, starting with children.
Programs encouraging children to get active are already being supported by the federal government in the United States, and that trend is likely to continue with other countries experiencing an obesity epidemic. The goal is to encourage the elderly to make use of equipment that will improve their fitness, while also encouraging children to get active. Most active children will grow up to be active adults.
Healthy Suggestions for the Elderly
What suggestions are being made for those over the age of sixty who want to be healthier, remain mobile in old age, and hopefully live longer? Here are some suggestions that will help this population stay safe while growing stronger and healthier:
- Bring fitness equipment into the home. This allows those who cannot drive or safely get outside for a walk to get some form of exercise on a daily basis. A trainer elliptical machine is a good option, since it is gentle on the joints yet can deliver a challenging cardiovascular workout that burns a lot of calories.
- Pair the elderly up with someone younger and more in shape. They can exercise together, thus pushing one another while watching out for one another.
- Encourage daily activity beyond deliberate exercise. For instance, one person over sixty may take up gardening to remain active while another may take a part-time volunteer job to ensure they are on their feet at least a couple hours each day.
- Keep those over the age of sixty active socially. Those who continue to have lunch with friends, attend parties and gatherings, and do other social activities are less likely to get depressed and become sedentary.
Those over the age of sixty need all of the things that the younger population may need. They need social interaction and companionship. They need an active lifestyle that gives them something to look forward to each day. They definitely need consistent exercise, though they may need to protect their joints and put more effort to staying safe than younger populations.
Government programs will continue to encourage the aging population to stay active and healthy, but citizens need to do their part as well. If you know someone in this population, take steps to keep them healthy, active and mobile.
Joel continues to be amazed by the benefits a walking regime can bring to everyone?s life. As result of this, he created a fitness equipment site where he shares his opinion and experiences with trainer elliptical machines.
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