The Benefits of Regular Light Exercise for Seniors
When you are a little older and someone says “Let’s go exercise”, many of us probably think “Oh no, we are going to lift heavy weights and do crazy cardio”. Of course, we don’t move like we use to, and our ability to keep up and risk of injury is much greater; so our response is, “I don’t think so”. However, effective exercise does not have to be hours of intensity. Instead, light to moderate exercise throughout the day, is proving to be a better method of strength building for many people, especially for individuals over the age of 65. Jennifer Smith, of Ashland, VA and a veteran yoga instructor for 20 years, recommends Gentle Yoga and Yen Yoga as a source of regular exercise for seniors. Mrs. Smith encourages her students of all abilities, to practice Gentle Yoga and Yen Yoga, because these types of yoga specifically focus on “building strength, increasing flexibility, balancing the nervous system, and improving one’s mood and energy level”, which is essential to staying healthy.
Mrs. Smith recommends that her students attend a yoga class 2 to 3 times a week, and if possible, to practice yoga for at least 10 minutes a day. Mrs. Smith notes, that frequent stretching and strength training through yoga poses helps “to keep the benefits (of yoga) in the body”. In addition to yoga, Mrs. Smith recommends “Zumba classes, walking with friends, and light weights” as sources of moderate exercise that can be easily incorporated throughout the day. According to AARP’s article “Exercise Plans for Seniors”, an easy way to “improve your health” is “by being more active throughout the day”. By adding light and fun exercises into a daily routine, it becomes easier to be active all day, and in turn improving one’s overall health.
Research is finding that light exercise, combined with frequent practice can “reduce the risk of diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis” (“Exercise Plans for Seniors”). By continuously moving throughout the day, the body becomes healthier and stronger to prevent not only certain types of diseases but also injury. By frequently utilizing light exercise, muscles are able to develop gradually over time, reducing the risk of over exercising and causing immediate injury. Light exercises like yoga or Zumba classes can additionally contribute to the prevention of injury, by working to “improve balance and coordination” to reduce the risk of falls (“Injury Prevention for Older Adults”). Through regular light exercise, seniors have an opportunity to improve their overall physical and mental health, while decreasing the risk of diseases and injury.
http://healthtools.aarp.org/health/exercise-plans-seniors
