A new study highlights the vital importance of exercise for seniors, urging doctors to recommend it more frequently. The study emphasizes that age, frailty, or functional limitations should not be seen as barriers to physical activity but rather as reasons to prioritize it.
Bob Bursach, an 82-year-old personal trainer based in Toronto, has dedicated his career to helping professional athletes achieve their fitness goals. However, in recent years, his focus has shifted towards empowering seniors to incorporate exercise into their lives. He attributes his own good health and youthful appearance to his near-daily workouts.
Bursach takes pride in witnessing his clients experience improved quality of life through exercise, particularly when they realize they can get up from lying down without assistance. Regular physical activity is crucial for overall health at any age, including for individuals in their 80s and 90s. A new paper published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal highlights this point, advocating for physicians to prescribe exercise more frequently to their oldest patients. Dr. Jane Thornton, lead author of the paper and Canada Research Chair in Injury Prevention and Physical Activity for Health at Western University, explains that doctors sometimes overemphasize the risks of injury associated with exercise for seniors with chronic conditions, leading to a reluctance to recommend physical activity. Thornton emphasizes that age, frailty, or functional impairments should no longer be seen as absolute contraindications to exercise. Instead, these factors should be recognized as reasons to emphasize the importance of exercise. The paper, based on a comprehensive review of the latest research on exercise and aging, provides clear guidance for doctors on how to safely incorporate physical activity into the lives of seniors. It stresses that exercise is a modifiable risk factor for over 30 chronic conditions prevalent in older adults, including heart disease, diabetes, respiratory illnesses, osteoporosis, depression, dementia, and cancer. Studies cited in the review demonstrate the significant health benefits of regular physical activity, such as reducing the risk of death by 31 percent compared to sedentary individuals.Thornton encourages seniors to start exercising at any age, highlighting the transformative impact it can have on daily life. She emphasizes the importance of gradual progression, starting slowly and increasing exercise intensity gradually. Most seniors with well-managed symptoms should be able to engage in physical activity, but in cases of concern, supervised exercise programs under the guidance of kinesiologists, physiotherapists, exercise scientists, or qualified personal trainers may be recommended. The paper offers practical advice for modifying exercise routines based on individual medical histories and conditions. Suggestions include using walking poles for individuals with hip or knee pain, water activities like swimming or aquafit for those with joint issues, resistance band exercises for frail individuals, and walking for people with high blood pressure. Exercise, being proven to enhance muscle strength, bone density, and balance, can effectively reduce the risk of falls. Practices like tai chi, yoga, and pilates are highly recommended for seniors aiming to improve their balance and social connectivity
SENIORS EXERCISE HEALTH DOCTOR FALL PREVENTION CHRONIC CONDITIONS
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