We all know that exercise is good for us, but some people think that with each passing year they should try to do less and take it easy, but that is wrong.
Older adults should not stop exercising, despite the limitations of old age.
Physical activity should be a constant priority throughout life. Without going any further, and although many do not take it into account, older adults should continue to exercise despite the physical inconveniences of old age.
The importance of exercise for the elderly
“ As the person ages, there is a gradual deterioration of the physical condition, which progressively affects the activities of daily life. Now, if the condition of sedentary lifestyle is added to aging, the deterioration will be increased, with the consequent impact on the quality of life of older adults.
It is known that the progressive deterioration begins after forty ”, explains Dr. Jorge Cancino, from the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Chile, who will participate in the 2014 Latin American Scientific Series to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina this month of September. (1)
For Dr. Cancino, initiatives that promote physical activity in older adults have to be designed so that they do not suffer damage while they practice it. That is, they should be given a duration according to their possibilities and physical performance and strategies should be considered to reduce the risk of falls.
“A determining factor in the risk of falls is the decrease in gait speed, which depends on the rapid or explosive component of the force.” explains Dr. Cancino.
The goal in this age group is for exercise to improve their health rather than harm them.
Both children and adolescents as well as adults and older adults have a legitimate right to a good quality of life, and it is scientifically proven that one aspect that significantly raises it is the constant practice of physical activity.
Therefore, it is important that the public sector, the private sector and civil society organizations work in an articulated way to propose public policies that stimulate and facilitate the practice of physical activity for the benefit of the well-being of citizens.