With ageing your body experiences a natural loss of muscle and bone mass. Regular exercise can slow or even reverse this loss. Regular exercise also improves mobility and balance, can help reduce muscle and joint pain and reduce the risk of falls. Keeping active has a huge bearing on your quality of life. Regular exercise helps people maintain independence and social interactions as well as helping to prevent dementia and depression.
There are many ways to get active and it’s never too late to start. Some people believe they are ‘too old’ or ‘frail’ but almost every activity can be modified to suit any fitness level. Brisk walking, gentle swimming, working in the garden, tai chi or dance classes are all great examples of physical activity.
The best exercise for any individual is the one they enjoy. Trying a range of activities that help to build strength, balance and flexibility are the best for overall health and wellbeing.
For people who haven’t exercised for a while, starting out slowly and building up is the key. A goal might be to walk for 30 minutes a day. Starting with a 10-minute walk three times a day will help to build up to a brisk 30 minutes walk over time.
For anyone who has enjoyed a lifetime of activity, there’s no need to slow down. As long as you’re enjoying the exercise you are doing and there is no risk of injury, then there’s no reason for you to stop.
For anyone interested in trying something new, it’s always a good idea to consult your GP first.
If you are unsure of what activities are suitable or safe for you, make some time to visit an Accredited Exercise Physiologist for more individual advice.
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