An active lifestyle and strength training can help fight age-related slowdowns until about age 70, according to a recent article in Montreal Gazette. The good news: it’s never too late to start. Home Instead CAREGivers who plan ways to help their clients incorporate physical activity into their routines may want to take note of a trend of active older adults pushing physical limits.
Fit older adults are breaking new ground in demonstrating how long they can compete against bodies half as young in years. For instance, the Gazette points to the large number of masters-level swimmers who have achieved their best times between ages 40 and 50 (article online at the Montreal Gazette Web site: http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/columnists/story.html?id=4c7ece7e-4b35-445b-9c9e-c86d499c88d7.)
Health and fitness experts claim that staying active is the key to fighting off the loss of muscle mass, aerobic power, joint mobility, speed, reaction time and coordination that are associated with aging. The interesting news is that there is no scientific agreement as to what age people actually start feeling the effects of diminishing physical capabilities.
This is yet another study that points to the benefits of physical activity, even in the senior years. “Those who engage in regular exercise are capable of performing physical tasks that cannot be performed by their sedentary peers, at least with the same degree of exertion or effort,” said Hirofumi Tanaka and Douglas Seals, authors of a study on masters athletes.
Posted in Birmingham, Exercise, Home Instead Senior Care, Life, Michigan, Oakland County Michigan, aging, companionship, disability, elderly, family, health, home health, senior | Tags: active, age, elderly, Life, seniors
