The importance of Physical Activity for Older Adults

Aging is a complex process involving many variables (e.g. genetics, lifestyle factors, chronic diseases)
that interact with one another, greatly influencing the manner in which we age. No one has ever shown
that general activity alters the rate of aging, but enables people to achieve their maximum life span
potential.
In this day and age there is a realization that the growth of an aging population is not simply a trend
but a reality. As such, government and nongovernment agencies and organizations across the country
are searching for ways to address this challenge. !ecognized among such needs is the necessity to
maximize health and wellbeing of older adults through a physically active lifestyle (Active "iving
#oalition for $lder Adults, %&&&).
'he older one becomes, the more regular physical activity is needed(
)Age 50 marks a point in middle age at which the benefits of regular physical activity can be most
relevant in avoiding, minimizing and/or reversing many of the physical, psychological and
social hazards which often accompany advancing age*
(+orld ,ealth $rganisation,%&&-).
.aintaining a high /uality of life was proposed by !owe and 0ahn (%&&1) to be composed of three
aspects(
1 2reedom from disease
2 3ngagement with life
3 4hysical and mental competence.
,igh /uality of life means that individuals feel better, function better on a daily basis and for many
people, live independent lives (5pirduso and #ronin, 677%). !egular physical activity and disability are
inversely related and physical activity can clearly predict and ultimately prevent symptoms of frailty
("au88anen, 0auppinen and ,ei88inen, %&&1).
The benefits of physical activity
$ne is never too old to derive benefits from regular physical activity. 4articipation in regular physical
activity (both aerobic and strength) elicits a number of favorable responses that contributes to healthy
aging (American #ollege of 5ports .edicine, %&&1). ,ealth professionals need to promote the message
that being active in daily life can(
!educe ris8 of #,9 and 5tro8e (+annamethee, 5haper, +al8er and 3brahim, %&&1)
!educe all cause mortality (:olliffe, !ees, 'aylor, 'hompson, $ldridge and 3brahim, 677%)
Increase muscle strength and flexibility (58elton and .c"aughlin, %&&;)
!educe ris8 of falls (58elton and 9inan, %&&&)
!educe the ris8 of developing type II diabetes (3vans, %&&&)
!educe and control high blood pressure through aerobic exercise and 'ai #hi (<oung, Appel, :ee
and .iller, %&&&)
,elp maintain independence and well being due to improvements in the related components of
fitness (<oung and 9inan, 6777)
Improve balance and coordination (5pirduso, %&&=)
!educe stress and anxiety (5tewart, .ills, 5epsis, 0ing, .c"ellan, !oitz and !itter (%&&1).
3nhance social and cultural integration by placing older people in social environments
3nhance mood, self esteem and self worth (2ox, %&&&)
!educe 9epression (>lumenthal, %&&&)
,elp change stereotypic perspectives of old age
3nhance sleep /uality and /uantity (Alessi, <oon, 5chnelle, Al5amarrai and #ruise, %&&&)
Allow formation of new friendships and a widening of social networ8s (<oung and 9inan, %&&&)
,elp control urinary urgency (<oung and 9inan, 6777)
Allow older adults to play a more active role in society thus empowering older adults.
Immobility, particularly in frail older adults with multiple pathologies and disabilities, can lead to further
complications which can be reduced with specific exercises(
9eep vein thrombosis (clotting)
?ravitational oedema (swelling of the legs as a result of an accumulation of fluid)
#ontractures (thic8ening of the @oint tissues leading to deformity)
4ressure sores
2aecal impaction (severe constipation)

'he adoption of a more physically active lifestyle can add years to life, even for the previously inactive
person. ,owever it should be made clear that the emphasis on disease prevention becomes less
important amongst older people when highlighting the benefits than the role it has to play in the
maintenance of functional ability and prevention of disability, immobility and isolation. (,ealth 3ducation
Authority, %&&&).
Auestions for ,omewor8
%. ,ow often do you exerciseB
6. Is there a limit of age for exercisingB
C. In your opinion, what 8ind of sports or exercises can an elderly practiceB
D. +hen did start wor8ing with sportsB
=. +hich was your first contact as an instructor (if any)B
;. +ould you li8e to wor8 with third agersB
-. +hat 8ind of wor8 would you developB