As we age, there is a tendency to become more sedentary and there can be a number of reasons for this; however, remaining physically active is crucial in maintaining function, independence, and quality of life in older adults. It is recommended that regardless of age, you are engaging in resistance and cardiovascular exercise as well as balance training.
Resistance and balance training are both essential as we age to:
- Improve cardiovascular health
- Improve bone health,
- Increase strength to ensure you can complete activities of daily living,
- Reduce joint loading to help manage pain from osteoarthritis
- Reduce falls risk
- Reduce bone fracture risk
- Reduce chronic disease risk
- Help manage conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure etc
Resistance and balance exercises may be completed in a gym, at home or supervised in a group or one-on-one setting. No matter how it is completed, you will reap the benefits as long as you are consistent. It is important that if you haven’t engaged in similar exercises previously or are unsure about how to, that you discuss this with an exercise physiologist to ensure that you are performing the right exercises for you and at an appropriate level.
Being physically active doesn’t just mean going to a gym or doing resistance exercise at home. Other options include joining Tai Chi, dancing or aqua aerobics. Activities like those, improve your cardiovascular fitness but also have components of resistance and balance training in them as well. The social aspect of such options are also an added benefit and can make exercise more enjoyable.
This Thursday Lori will be over at the Seniors Expo in the Berghofer Recreational Center in Baker Street from 830am until 3pm. This is a great opportunity for seniors to get out and see what Toowoomba has to offer its senior citizens. It is also a great opportunity to learn more about how exercise can improve health and wellbeing. Lori will have plenty of information with her and will be able to answer any questions about how exercise can improve your daily life, so make sure you have a look.
