When it comes to exercise, older adults need to practice activities that are not too strenuous for their age. You may be wondering if exercising regularly will cause damage to your body or worsen your joint problems. However, rest assured that the benefits of walking every day outweigh the little concerns you may have.
Is Exercise Beneficial for Older Adults?
Some older adults may have the perception that exercising regularly may worsen their medical symptoms like arthritis and others. However, this is never the case. There are ways to make walking more comfortable to prevent and reduce pain during the process.
Benefits of Walking for Older Adults
Gradually adding more walking into your daily routine and investing a little effort each day to spend lesser time sitting down, is effective in getting enough daily exercise. However, you must know that you should only be doing certain types of exercises weekly to ensure that all components of fitness will be covered. Walking alone will help you to build strong foundations of your body to help you remain fit. By staying consistent, your body will be well-conditioned to be able to withstand the daily stress of life. You may find that you are not getting as strong or fit as you had expected when you first start exercising. However, as you continue to do it on a regular basis, your body will start to condition itself.
Weight Loss / Weight Maintenance
If you have been looking to maintain your weight or shed some off, it is recommended for you to consider including walks in your daily routine. As opposed to popular belief, walking can be just as effective as running when your objective is to burn some calories. Depending on your weight and walking speed, at least 100 calories can easily be burnt for every half a mile that you pass. Walking is one of the best ways to maintain your weight and it does not overexert the joints as compared to running.
Strengthens Bones, Reduces Pain, Improves Mobility
Walking for just around 30 minutes every day can help to reduce the risk of hip fractures. Studies have shown that walking on a regular basis can also prevent the loss of bone mass while reducing pain. This is crucial for older adults who are suffering from osteoporosis and arthritis. Walking also helps to strengthen muscles while improving mobility to alleviate joint pain and pressure.
Improves Muscular Endurance and Cardiovascular Health
In general, older adults are at a higher risk of experiencing various health conditions which are related to high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and cardiovascular issues. Plenty of studies have been conducted and they show a link between walking and an improvement in cardiovascular health. Walking just 30 minutes each day can improve circulation and reduce blood sugar levels, thus reducing the risks of diabetes, cardiac arrest, and strokes.
Boosts Immune System
Certain studies show that you can easily avoid sore throats, the sniffles, and even the flu by doing low and moderate exercises like walking. Walking boosts your immune system to help fight off infections.
