One of the most important ways to live a healthy life is to incorporate strength and resistance training into an exercise regimen. People usually establish a regular exercise routine during adolescence, whether it be PE class or extracurricular sports teams, and carry it though until their adult life, for instance in the form of gym workouts or runs. Dr. Chanda Dutta, chief of the Clinical Gerontology Branch at the National Institute on Aging, said it best: “There’s a powerful myth that getting older means getting decrepit, [but] it’s not true. Some people in their 70s, 80s, and 90s are out there running marathons and becoming body-builders.” So why can’t you?
Unbeknownst to the elderly, it is never too late to make a difference in their overall health. Even though beginning an exercise routine during the latter decades of life may seem pointless, in reality, it can actually boost muscle strength at any stage of life. In addition, beginning to exercise late in life has been proven to minimize the risk of chronic health problems, such as diabetes or arthritis, and to reduce existing symptoms.
Ironically, a lot of the symptoms “associated” with old age, including weakness and difficulty balancing, are actually symptoms of inactivity, not age. It is well known that exercise can improve physical health, however many fail to realize that exercise can also boost memory and aids in the prevention of dementia. Elders equipped with strong cognition are capable of maintaining their autonomy, which in turns leads to living a happier and more independent lifestyle.
Griffin, R. Morgan. “Myths About Exercise and Older Adults.” WebMD, WebMD.