The 5 Benefits of Exercise in Seniors
By Jessah Shaw, Adv Dip (Nut Med)
It’s never too late to add exercise into your routine and reap the benefits of regular physical activity. No matter your age or current health situation there is an exercise to suit your needs. Here are 5 key benefits of exercising for seniors:
Increased energy
If you’re tired exercise may be the last thing you feel like doing but being active actually gives you more energy. The “feel-good” endorphins that are released during exercise not only reduce stress and promote healthy sleep, but can also make you feel more lively and energetic overall. If stress is a constant problem for you, you may benefit from taking tyrosine, an amino acid which supports a healthy stress response in the body and maintains nervous system function.
Prevention/Reduction of Disease
A plethora of evidence exists that shows physical inactivity has been linked to the development of 40 chronic diseases. It therefore makes sense that in turn, physical activity can prevent and, in some cases, treat disease progression associated with physical inactivity and other genetic and environmental factors. Heart disease and diabetes are a couple of the common diseases that can be prevented through regular physical activity, as well as exercise improving immune health in general.
Improved brain function
According to research from NCBI, seniors that exercise regularly have improved cognitive health. Regular exercise has been proven to reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or dementia by nearly 50%. This just goes to show that a healthy body generally equates to a healthy mind.
Improved balance
Falls are the number one cause of accidental injury in older Australians. As our population ages and the number of older people grows, the number of falls and fall-related hospitalisations increases. 1 in 4 people who are aged 65 and over have at least 1 fall per year. Regular exercise improves strength and flexibility, which also helps improve balance and coordination, helping to reduce the risk of falls.
Enhanced Social Connections
Research has linked social isolation and loneliness to higher risks for a variety of physical and mental conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and even death. Whether you join a walking group, sign up to a Tai Chi or Aqua aerobics class or visit a gardening club, it can become a fun social event and a chance to establish friendships. Maintaining strong social ties is important for seniors to feel a sense of purpose and avoid feelings of loneliness or depression.
If you are looking at starting a new exercise regime or increasing physical activity, you may benefit from trying Dr Cabot’s new ‘Ultimate Muscle Food’ powder. Muscle food powder supports muscle mass in older people by reducing protein breakdown in the muscles. Our product is formulated to support muscle mass and strength.
References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6027933/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3951958/
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