Released April 14, 2008
MADISON, Wis. --Now that winter's chill has given way to the warmer and milder weather of spring, UW-Extension nutrition specialist Susan Nitzke reminds older Wisconsin adults that there are many ways to be active on a daily basis.
Whether you call it exercise or physical activity, the important thing is to get moving and to do it often. Making physical activity part of daily life is one of the most effective ways that older people can maintain their health and abilities.
"As a rule, older people should stay as physically active as long as they can, checking with their doctor first about a safe approach to getting more exercise," says Nitzke. "If you have arthritis, heart disease, breathing problems or other limitations, it is especially important to ask your doctor for advice on the forms of exercise that are best for your situation."
According to Nitzke, when older people lose their ability to do things on their own, it doesn't usually happen just because they have aged. An older person's loss of physical abilities is often made worse when he or she becomes less active. Older inactive adults lose ground in four areas that are important for staying healthy and independent: endurance, strength, balance and flexibility.
Fortunately, research suggests that you can maintain or at least partly restore these four areas by being more active. You might enjoy walking briskly, playing with your grandchildren, dancing, gardening, sweeping the floor or taking out the garbage. The key is to find ways to move your body through your own muscle power.
Some older adults may be reluctant to start exercising, even though they've heard that it's one of the healthiest things a person can do. They may be afraid that physical activity will harm them, or they might think they have to join a gym or buy expensive equipment. In fact, just about every older adult can safely do some form of physical activity at little or no cost.
A free guide to exercise for older Americans has been developed by the National Institute on Aging, at the National Institutes of Health. "Exercise: A Guide from the National Institute on Aging" includes tips on appropriate activities that can help prevent disease and disability and improve your health.
The guide contains valuable information about how exercise and proper nutrition are crucial for staying healthy as people age. It also provides useful tips on establishing and maintaining a regular exercise program.
Copies of the guide are available in English and Spanish and can be obtained at http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/ExerciseGuide/
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http://www.uwex.edu/news/2008/04/activity-helps-older-adults-stay-healthy
Contact: Susan Nitzke, (608) 262-2692, susan.nitzke@ces.uwex.edu
