Physical Activity and Exercise for Older Adults
Introduction
It’s a serious problem for older adults to increase in age every year. Before 2030, the number of individuals 65 yr and over will reach 70 million in the United States alone; persons 85 yr and older will be the fastest growing segment of the population. As more individuals live longer, it is imperative to determine the extent and mechanisms by which exercise and physical activity can improve health, functional capacity, quality of life, and independence in this population (Robert et al, 1999). Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death among older adults worldwide, including Europe, Asia, and North America (Taylor-Piliae , Haskell , Sivarajan ,2005). Thus, current estimates predict that the number of adults over the age of 65 years (older adults) will increase from 13% of the U.S. population in 2000 to 20% by 2030, with the most rapid expansion occurring among those aged 85 and older (Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics, 2000). Evan, Michael, Douglas & Crowell (1999) showed the office-based pre-participation evaluation for older adults addresses cardiovascular status, muscle strength, flexibility, balance, and agility. Thus, it’s very important for older adults to exercise and physical activity.
Disease and exercise for adults
Aging is a complex process involving many variables (eg, genetics, lifestyle factors, chronic diseases) that interact with one another, greatly influencing the manner in which we age. Participation in regular physical activity (both aerobic and strength exercises) elicits a number of favorable responses that contribute to healthy aging. Much has been learned recently regarding the adaptability of various biological systems, as well as the ways that regular exercise can influence them (Robert et al, 1999).
Physical activity also has been shown to benefit older adults with specific chronic conditions, including arthritis, heart disease, and diabetes (Stahle, Nordlander, & Bergfeldt, 1999). Specifically, studies show that regular physical activity reduces the risk of dying prematurely and of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, and colon cancer; reduces feelings of depression and anxiety; helps control weight and maintains bone mineral density; and promotes psychological well-being (Binder, Birge, &c Kohrt, 1996; Blumenthal et al., 1991; Singh et al., 1999).
Conclusion
Robert et al (1999) pointed out that training adaptations greatly improve the functional capacity of older men and women, thereby improving the quality of life in this population. Additional benefits include improved bone health and, thus, reduction in risk for osteoporosis; improved postural stability, thereby reducing the risk of falling; and increased flexibility and range of motion.
Therefore, it’s useful for adults to exercise two times every week. Like walking, tai chi, yoga, running, swimming, and cycling are large muscle rhythmic aerobic forms of exercise that were an integral part of the early years of most adults’ lives. Maximizing both the quality and quantity of life in older adults is best accomplished by adding these activities to an individual’s habitual lifestyle (Robert et al, 1999).
References
Binder, E. F., Birge, S. J., & Kohrt, W. M. (1996). Effects of endurance exercise and hormone replacement therapy on serum Iipids in older women. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 44, 231-236.
Blumenthal, J. A., Emery, C. F., Madden, D. J., Coleman, R. E., Riddle, M. W., Schniebolk, S., et al. (1991). Effects of exercise training on cardiorespiratory function in men and women older than 60 years of age. American Journal of Cardiology, 67, 633-639.
Evan, W.K., Michael, J.H., Douglas, L.,& Crowell, M.S.(1999). Recommending Exercise to Healthy Older Adults: The Preparticipation Evaluation and Exercise Prescription. The Physician and Sportsmedicine. 27(11),42.
Federal Interagency Forum on Aging-Related Statistics. (2000, August). Older Americans 2000: Key indicators of well-being. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office.
Taylor-Piliae, R.E., Haskell, W.L.,& Sivarajan F.E.(2005). Hemodynamic responses to a community-based Tai Chi exercise intervention in ethnic Chinese adults with cardiovascular disease risk factors. Eur J Cardiovasc Nurs.
Robert ,S.M., Peter C., William J.E., Maria F., James H., Edward, M., and Jill.(1999). Exercise and Physical Activity for Older Adults. The Physician and Sportsmedicine.27(11), 115.
Stahle, A., Nordlander, R,, & Bergfeldt, L. (1999). Aerobic group training improves exercise capacity and heart rate variability in elderly patients with a recent coronary event. A randomized controlled study. European Heart Journal, 20, 1638-1646.
Singh, M. A., Ding, W., Manfredi, T. J. Solares, G. S., O’Neill, E. F., Clements, K. M., et al. (1999). Insulin-like growth factor I in skeletal muscle after weight-lifting exercise in frail elders. American journal of Physiology, 277, E135-E143.