Why is exercise so important for the elderly?

Whether you have never been more physically active or never exercised regularly, now is the time to start exercising and fitness. Getting fit and keeping fit is just as important for the elderly as it is for the young.

Why is exercise important for the elderly? Increasing heart rate and muscle function benefits almost every system in your body and improves your physical and mental health in a variety of ways. Physical activity helps maintain normal blood pressure, prevents the formation of harmful plaque in the arteries, reduces inflammation, raises blood sugar levels, strengthens bones and helps prevent depression. In addition, regular exercise can improve your sex life, improve sleep quality, reduce your risk of certain cancers

Many older people are reluctant to continue because they are unfamiliar with the types of exercise and fitness that are effective and safe and they are not sure how much they should be doing. The good news is that any kind of exercise is better than a sedentary lifestyle, so there's nothing wrong with starting small and moving to longer exercises. Your goal should be at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week, but if you can’t start at that level, work up to (and beyond). While there are many special forms of exercise and fitness for adults, you still want to be physically active during the day, climbing stairs, working in the yard and playing with your grandchildren

When it comes to exercise and fitness for the elderly, most can start without consulting a doctor, but there are exceptions. If you have serious health problems, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart or lung disease, osteoporosis, or neurological disease, be sure to talk to your doctor first People with balance or mobility problems such as arthritis should also consult their doctor.