Essay About Aerobic Exercise And Older Adults

Kinseiology 345, the Effects of Exercise During Aging
Essay Preview: Kinseiology 345, the Effects of Exercise During Aging
Report this essay
Kinseiology 345, The Effects of Exercise During Aging
05/23/06
“By the year 2030, the number of individuals 65 yr and over will reach 70
million in the United States alone; persons 85 yr and older will be the fastest growing
segment of the population. As more individuals live longer, it is imperative to
determine the extent and mechanisms by which exercise and physical activity can
improve health, functional capacity, quality of life, and independence in this
population.” (retrieved 5/23/06 from www.acsm-
msse.org/pt/re/msse/postitionstandards.htm)
Aerobic exercise is beneficial to older adults. Excercise guidelines are
prescibed by docters to ensure the workout isnt overwhelming
but is still effective (retrieved 5/20/06 from www.infoaging.org). However, with
aerobic activity in older adults precautions and limitations do
apply.
Aerobic exercise is also known as cardiovascular exercise
. Aerobic activity
can be described
as any form of running, swimming,
biking, or walking. Aerobic, or cardiovascular, activity “builds overall endurance.”
(retrieved 5/20/06 from www.infoaging.org). By participating in
aerobic activities the state of the heart and lungs is improved. Aerobic exercise
conditions the body and is significantly beneficial.
Older adults stand to benefit greatly from aerobic exercise. For example
burning 1,000 calories a week through aerobic exercise can
reduce the risk of disease (retieved 5/20/06 from www.infoaging.org). If an older
adult is being introduced to aerobic exercise they should
consult a docter first. Starting lightly is recommended. Once endurance is increased
they should increase their workout as well. By following an
aerobic workout that is challenging and the right speed a person can become
heathier.
Aerobic exercise increases the amount of oxygen delivered to our muscle.
This “generally imporves cardiovascular health.” (retrieved
5/21/06 from www.infoaging.org) A study done by the Cooper Institute for Aerobics
research in Dallas compared a lifestyle with physical activity,
such as taking walks or yard work, to a lifestyle with a structured workout (retrieved
5/21/06 from www.infoaging.org). The results showed that the
lifestlye that included physical activity was just as rewarding as the lifestyle with the
structured workout. This shows that a workout doesnt have to
be strenuous or difficult to have good results.
By consistently following an aerobic workout a person should be able to increase
their heart rate by 75% of its maximum.
Being fit at an older age is not only healthy but it can make every day life
easier. For example older adults who are physically fit are less
likely to face limitation in everyday chores such as carrying gorceries (retrieved
5/21/06 from www.infoaging.org). Although getting older is
inevitable exercise can reduce the effects aging can have on people. Research
suggests that exercising can extend your life span and reduce
the of disease or disability. By excercising your mental and physical condition is
preserved.
Even people over the age of 90 respond to exercise
. For example “aerobic
activity, for 20 minutes, three times a week will improve
cardiac health.” (retrieved 5/21/06 from www.infoaging.org) Among other things
following this aerobic regimen can help improve sugar
metabolism and cholesterol levels. Aerobic activity also helps “reduce age-related
losses of bone mass” (retrieved 5/21/06 form
www.infoaging.org) Even the very old stand to benefit from aerobic exercise
Researchers have found that many older people have difficulty with tasks that
are thought to be easy. For example researchers have
found that 42% of women over the age of 75 cannot stand for more that 15 minutes.
Researchers also found that 20% of women over the age of
75 cant climb stairs. Researchers found in the same study that 50% of older adults
over the age of 85 required assitence with walking, eating,
bathing, and