How Dropping Exercise in Older Age is Bad For Health?

Introduction
Simple process of aging brings a lot of changes in one’s life, both physical and lifestyle related. By the age of 50, most already have children, some even grandchildren, and their lifestyle is pretty different than it was few decades ago. Big percent is still working, but people as they age have less and less focus and energy. This is related both to the nature of this process, but with higher risk of developing some diseases as well. Hormonal changes strike both men and women, and those often lead to physics changing, meaning that muscle mass is decreased and fat is easier to store, as well as changes in sexual drive. Recent researches have shown that for example in USA, more than one quarter do not exercise at all. This information is really worrying, and it can be pretty relevant for world in general. There are few risks of practicing this type of lifestyle, and it is really important to raise awareness on that, as well as on how that should be changed.

What are the Risks Of Older People Not Exercising?
So basically as we said older people mostly over 50 years of age are already at higher risk of developing some diseases simply because of nature of aging process, so anything aside from that can have a great affect as well. There have been many proven benefits of exercising that no one could deny, and thus not including it in your lifestyle might have a great effect on your health.

• Higher death rate; higher risk of coronary heart disease
• Higher risk of developing diabetes 2 and thyroid issues
• Higher risk of arthritis; higher risk of Alzheimer and Parkinson’s
• More prone to cancer development

If we take a look at all medical conditions that could develop more easily if one is not exercising, we have a partial answer on why those diseases are more spread than ever. Some adults know of the risks, but still do not do anything to change that, while others are simply believing in some myths related to aging that are not even close to truth:

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• People over 50 think that it is better not to exercise, than to risk possible injury or fracture, which could just lead to more issues. And this is wrong, as no one is asking them to perform high intense training, on contrary exercising should be moderate and according to one’s preferences.
• Also they think that aging is inevitable and that even if they exercise they are doomed to bad health in their 70s or so. It is not truth again, as regular exercising has been proven to lower the risk of all medical conditions, that were previously mentioned.
• More to say, some are even scared that they might suffer a heart attack or that it will be bad for their joints. Exercise is proven to be healthy for heart, and it keeps joints in good form, meaning that it is harder to damage them. Of course if exercise is not too intense.
• Not having time is another big myth, and it is more of an excuse than actually a reality, as all people have at least 90 minutes a week all together, to devote to their health.
• And some think that it is expensive and that it requires big money investing, which again is not truth as no one says you have to go to the gym. Go outside for a run in pleasant weather, or do aerobics at your house.

So if we compare myths and statistics, we can come to a conclusion that older people are simply not in mood to exercise, and not that something is actually stopping them. Having this in mind, it is important to educate them on how beneficial is it and to guide them to type of exercise that they should be per-forming.

How Should Older People Exercise?
No one is asking for people over age of 50 to train like they are preparing for Olympic Games, but some amount of physical activity is necessary, thus it is important to indicate what are the types that are reasonable for people of that age:

• Cardio training such as walking, jogging, swimming or riding bicycles for around 120 minutes a week. Anyone could take 40 minutes out of every 2nd day in a week, and enjoy this kind of activity, knowing that they are doing good for themselves.
• Aerobics or yoga are really good as well, as they along with keeping body in shape, help in relieving stress, thus reducing risks of related diseases
• Also people over 50 could perform a weight training as well, but doing that with moderate weights and after educating on a fitting program.
• It is important to note that this has to be accompanied by healthy and balanced diet, that in-clude non-refined carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats, as well as foods that contain essential nutrients like vegetable or fruit. Also at least 2 liters of water a day can do a miracle when it comes to one’s health.

Conclusion
Population of world in general is aging, meaning that there are more old people than ever. Which has its pros and cons. But if the situation is already like this, it is important that they take care of their health, and provide a nice rest of their life both for them and people around them. Not exercising will certainly not help, so it is important to raise awareness and do everything in your power, that this is changed. No one is asking for people that are older to be in Spartan shape, but they should simply take care that they are fit and healthy, as well as feeling good, and it will help them improve in other fields of life as well.

References:

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/004000.htm

http://www.health.com/fitness/31-million-older-americans-arent-getting-enough-exercise