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Move It or Lose It
by author Tanya Tiessen, BCRPA, ACE-PT, MS

Aging is inevitable. It is possible, however, to curb many of the effects of aging with regular physical activity. We all want to maintain quality of life and good health as we age, and exercise is essential to maintaining good health.

Typically, as human beings age they become more susceptible to diseases such as heart disease, arthritis, cancers, and strokes. As a result of these seniors become less active. The less we move, the more susceptible we are to various conditions and diseases, and thus the vicious cycle of inactivity begins.

Don’t Slow Down

Maybe you’ve been under the impression that we should take it easy as we get older. Now we know just the opposite is true. Researchers are now finding that many of the conditions commonly believed to result from aging really result from not using the body enough. Health Canada reports that sedentary older adults are at a 50-percent higher risk for all diseases.

As we age, it is important that we remain active–with inactivity comes muscular shortening, tightening, and weakness. Lack of weight-bearing activities contributes to bone-density loss and osteoporosis. Lack of movement can also lead to loss in joint range of motion and mobility. Prolonged sitting or resting also contributes to loss of balance, as the body is not challenged and reactivity quickly diminishes. According to the Canadian National Population Health Survey, only 14 percent of seniors are sufficiently active to maintain good health.

To combat the effects of aging, we need to get up off our sofas and actively engage in life.

Functional Fitness

Some may feel that starting an exercise program involves an overwhelming commitment, beyond what they feel is achievable. The good news is that exercise is not strictly limited to attending fitness classes or going to the gym and lifting weights.

Functional fitness means being active for a purpose beyond sculpting a beautiful, toned body or being able to run 10 kilometres. Functional fitness relies on doing tasks that engage the body on a daily basis. These exercises involve challenging the muscles needed to be able to get in and out of a chair or car with ease, tackling a long flight of stairs without being breathless, or simply maintaining the ability to engage in active play with a grandchild.

Do It Inside...

There are a variety of ways to attain and maintain functional fitness. If you plan to start exercising at a fitness facility, aerobic classes of various types and formats abound, from yoga and Pilates to core conditioning and indoor group cycling. Find a class that fits your needs and get moving. Lifting weights will aid in your fight against osteoporosis and will also combat the loss of muscle mass that occurs with age. Perhaps the water is more your medium; check out an aquacise class, a water running or walking program, or simply take the plunge for a few laps of the community centre pool.

Despite the popularity of such facilities, there are many individuals who would prefer to exercise outdoors.

Or Do It Outside...

If you hear the call of the great outdoors, consider any one of a number of activities, depending on the season and your locale. In the winter months, cross-country skiing combines great muscular endurance, cardiovascular fitness, and challenges in agility and balance. In spring, summer, or fall, consider using moderate hiking trails for brisk walks that provide a challenge to the cardiovascular system.

Regimented exercise schedules aren’t for everyone. Get out and throw or kick a ball with your grandchild in the park; retrieving the ball on an unstable surface will challenge your coordination, balance, and cardiovascular system. If your grandchild isn’t yet old enough to play kickball or catch, go for a brisk walk while pushing the stroller, going uphill for an increased cardiovascular challenge.

Just Do It

The clear message from health practitioners and fitness professionals alike is that whatever exercise modality tickles your fancy, you need to just get out there and do it. The most important thing is finding something that you enjoy that will contribute to leading a more functional life.

Tanya Tiessen, BCRPA, ACE-PT, MS, teaches physical education and aerobics and is a personal trainer. She has more than 12 years of experience in the fitness industry.

Source: alive #289, November 2006