Search
Recommended Products
Related Links


 
 

 

 

Informative Articles

17 Guaranteed Ways to Lose Weight
1. Just Get Started Many times, you may hear conflicting information from different sources about how you should go about accomplishing your goals; confused with information, you attempt to analyze the best route of action...but then you...

Coping with stress and turning back the hands of time.
Stress comes in many forms, workplace stress, family stress, grief over loss of a loved one, etc... Some can be avoided, but as we know, many cannot. Some people handle stress better than others, and some even thrive onit.Regardless, stress takes...

Exercise and Low Carb Diet's Make Poor Partners
Over the last twenty five years the most common questioned asked me by frustrated exercisers, has been what exercise routine will get me the body I desire? My answer is always the same. They need to start exercising better judgement and learn...

Flu Prevention and the Gym Member
Health officials' warning this month of a potentially harsh flu season should be a red flag to avid aerobic-bunnies and gym-jocks alike. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) warn that the flu is transmitted when flu virus in the air is inhaled...

How To Effectively Clean A White Tongue, The Cause Of Bad Breath
Have you ever noticed that sometimes you have a white tongue? A white tongue is something that nobody wants to have. Why? A white tongue not only looks abnormal, but if left untreated, it's a strong indication of a bad breath problem. People who...

Interval Training - The Best Weight Loss Exercise
Weight Loss Exercise Principles If you have read the article called Exercise: Essential , then you can skip down to the next section, called How to do Interval Training. Read on if you need a reminder of the basic principles of exercise for...

Non-Surgical Treatments For Back Pain
If you suffer from severe back pain and fear that surgery may be necessary, or if surgery has been recommended and you question the wisdom of it, you may want to try some non-surgical physical treatments first. Unless your back pain is due...

Resources for Wheelchair Exercisers
Ask most people of the challenges they face following through with an exercise program and you're likely to hear the common complaints: Lack of motivation, being too tired, not having enough time, too busy. Or as someone recently told me, "My get up...

The History And Features Of Elliptical Machines
Elliptical machines are relatively new to the exercise machine scene, but they have surged in popularity as more and more people discover the benefits of elliptical workouts. Since they first appeared in the 1990’s elliptical exercise machines have...

Top 10 Weight Loss and Fitness Myths
WARNING: Don't weight train until after you've lost weight! No, no, please don't believe that headline! That's one of the many myths associated with weight loss and fitness. If you're interested in losing weight and getting fit as quickly as...

 
 
 
Inactivity, Not Aging Causes Most of our Health Problems

Just like the young, older people can gain many benefits from exercising. Life can be made a lot easier through improvements in strength, balance, coordination, and mobility. If the person has not exercised for a while, they must start slow. Even walking 10 minutes per day will give them great benefits.

Weight training is also a great option. Start them on a 20 minute program (3-4 exercises), and increase them from there as they adapt. Keep sets at 2-3, reps at 10-15, and the rest interval between sets at 90 seconds.

The facts:

  • Improvements in fitness and oxygen consumption with training are similar for younger or older men and women. Though, an older person will generally start at a lower level and peak at a lower level than a younger person.
  • Older subjects show greater gains in muscle oxidative enzyme activities.
  • Aging appears neither to impair the ability to improve muscle strength nor prevent muscle growth.
  • Exercise can help arthritic patients by increasing strength and mobility.
  • Older people who exercise have:
  • Higher VO2max values and half the expected decrease in VO2max due to age
  • Higher HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol
  • Enhanced glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity
  • Greater strength, reaction time, and a lower risk of falling
  • Increased bone density (reduced chance of

     


    osteoporosis)

Guidelines:

  • Always get a medical examination and clearance before starting an exercise program.
  • All equipment should be safe and inspected regularly for defects.
  • Training equipment should be located in an uncrowded area.
  • There must be adequate supervision by an experienced and registered trainer to ensure correct technique is used.
  • Programs should start with regular stretching and strengthening exercises, with a progression to more dynamic aerobic activities. Cycling and swimming are recommended over jogging.
  • Older people are generally less tolerant of environmental stress so restrict training in extreme temperatures.
  • Until they are experienced in weight training, only use exercises that require them to keep both feet on the ground (e.g. Squats instead of Lunges). This will reduce their risk of falling and injuring themselves.
  • Ensure all abdominal work is done on the floor and not on the Swiss Ball.
  • Only light lifting should be done above the head.
  • No isometric exercises.

Copyright 2005 Raymond Kelly

About The Author

Raymond Kelly has worked extensively in the health and fitness industry for over 15 years. He has a degree in Exercise Science and is a Level 2 Strength and Conditioning coach. His latest web site can be found at http://www.free-online-health.com.