Staying Physically Active NO MATTER WHAT YOUR AGE!!!

The Benefits of Older Adult Fitness

By Jeff Driscoll (Certified Older Adult Fitness Specialist)

 Fitness is defined by a balanced and evolving system of mind-body work, cardiovascular endurance training, muscular strength, flexibility training and heart-healthy nutritional habits. This outlines the framework for maintenance of health and fitness for the older adult to achieve the basic activities of daily living (BADL).
 
      One of the key benefits of physical fitness and nutrition for the older adult is to help them maintain their functionality. We can place older adults into distinct categories based on their ability to achieve the BASIC ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING or BADLS. BADLS include things such as getting dressed, walking to the store, and getting out of a tub. These are key to our survival. By incorporating physical activity into our life we can help to ensure we can complete these activities for years to come, maintaining our muscular strength and endurance and balance. As we get older we are sometimes held back by fears of falling. By training our balance and agility in a professional training environment we can conquer that fear of falling, and continue to do all those activates which we enjoy, and help us function well.  Also, those who have limited ability to achieve these BADL's can help work towards once again completing them through regular work with a fitness instructor or personal trainer. 
 
       In addition to helping us achieve our independence with functional training, cardivascular endurance is important for older adults can help to prevent or alleviate the symptoms of several diseases or disorders. Healthy eating coupled with cardiovascular activity and strength training activates for example can help to prevent diabetes, heart attack and stroke.  Group exercise or choreographed fitness routines can have a very positive impact on individuals who are managing Alzheimer's Disease:  working out is just as much for our minds as it is for our bodies - we remember steps, movements, and patterns of coordination which requires our working memory to be engaged (and therefore strengthened), ultimately slowing the progression of the disease. Those with diabetes can gain more control over blood sugar levels through physical activity and healthy eating.   Heart attack and stroke survivors can once again achieve vital strength and heart health through cardiovascular training and flexibility training can ease pain experienced in the chest and upper body. The list goes on and on- Simply put no matter what disease or condition you may have Exercise is key to controlling it and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
 
      As a Trainer & Instructor one of the great rewards continues to be watching the improvements physical fitness has on my clients' mental and social health. We all strive to be mentally and physically stimulated in order to grow and learn and develop throughout our lives. This doesn't stop because we reach the age of 60 or 70 or 80 or EVER! As previously mentioned, fitness classes can stimulate our mind AND it is also a whole lot of fun! No matter how old we are, a sense of play and fun is so vital to our daily health and sense of wellbeing. Physical Fitness training can help the older adult find a renewed sense of energy and sense of self. We can truly enjoy life more by staying active!