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How Physical Fitness Affects the Aging Process

By: Brian Z. Barrett

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There?s no doubt about it, physical fitness impacts the aging process in a positive way. Decades ago, while people?s lifestyles were such that they had to perform a great deal of exercise in the process of daily living, they didn?t actually realize what great benefits they reaped from such an active existence. Now the baby boomers have reached their senior years and life no longer requires a great deal of activity.

To get from point A point B they can simply sit in a car or train; food can be bought already prepared instead of hunting the house cow into the yard and digging the potatoes up - after having planted and weeded them. So the older generation may not realize just how beneficial exercise was to them. They simply did it in their daily lives with no scientific data or health-care professional to tell them it would keep them younger and healthier as they aged.

These days it is a well-known fact that physical fitness not only helps to slow down the process of aging, it enhances quality of life. Older people who are physically fit find that their balance is better, thus reducing the risk of falls that account for 60% of emergency room visits. They are more alert, and more flexible and so are able to enjoy many leisure activities and playing with the grandchildren.

The right kind of physical exercise supports or increases muscle strength and mass as we age. While aerobic exercise and stretches are great for maintaining flexibility, it is progressive strength training that supports or increases muscle mass and bone strength and density. The latter is particularly effective in the prevention and ongoing treatment of osteo and rheumatoid arthritis, which many elderly people are afflicted with. Even seniors who are considered to be in a frail condition can benefit from strength training.

Walking is considered to be one of the best forms of exercise. Most muscles in the body are exercised when we walk, with the added benefit that joints and ligaments are not adversely affected by jolting. For the same reason, aerobic exercise or a gently regime such as Pilates exercises can be considered beneficial for the older age group.

Physical fitness has also been proven to have an additional benefit of keeping the brain more active in older people as it stimulates the circulation. This also helps a variety of diseases such as cardiovascular and heart problems to be less severe.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

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