VQ ActionCare In The News

As we grow older, leading an active lifestyle is more important than ever. Regular exercise helps older adults maintain health, boost energy, and improve confidence. The great news is no matter the person's age, health, or fitness level, each person can benefit from moving more and being active. Whether they are generally healthy or are managing an illness, there are big and small ways to get more active and boost their fitness level. Many older adults feel discouraged by fitness barriers, such as chronic health conditions or concerns about injury or falls. If they have never exercised before, they may not know where to begin. Or maybe an ongoing health problem or disability is keeping them from getting active. Perhaps they think they are too old or frail.

The truth is that they can't afford not to get moving. Exercise is the key to staying strong, energetic, and healthy as every one of us ages. It can help older adults manage the symptoms of illness and pain, maintain their independence, and even reverse some of the symptoms of aging. And not only is exercise good for their body, it is great for their mind, mood, and memory. Reaping the rewards of exercise doesn't require strenuous workouts or trips to the gym. It's about adding more movement and activity to their life, even in small ways.

Staying active is not a science. Just remember that mixing different types of exercise helps reduce monotony and improve overall health. Following is an overview of the four building blocks of senior fitness.

1st building block: Cardiovascular Endurance Exercise

• What is it? Exercise thatuses large muscle groups in rhythmic motions over a period of time. This type of exercise increases the body's ability to deliver oxygen and nutrients to tissues and to remove waste over sustained periods of time. Cardio workouts get the heart pumping!
• Why is it good for older adults? These exercises help lessen fatigue and shortness of breath. They promote independence by improving endurance for daily activities such as walking, house cleaning, and errands.

2nd building block: Strength Training

• What is it? Strength training builds up muscle with repetitive motion using weight or external resistance from body weight or elastic bands.
• Why is it good for older adults? Strength training helps the older adult prevent loss of bone mass, builds muscle, and improves balance, all important in staying active and preventing risk of falling. Building up strength will help older adults stay independent and make day to day activities easier such as opening a jar, getting in and out of a car, and lifting objects.

3rd building block: Flexibility

• What is it? Flexibility challenges the joint's ability to move freely through a full range of motion.
• Why is it good for older adults? Flexibility helps the body stay limber and increases range of movement for ordinary physical activities such as looking behind you while driving, tying shoes, shampooing your hair, and playing with grandchildren.

4th building: Balance

• What is it? Balance maintains standing and stability under a variety of conditions including static (stationary) and dynamic (moving) balance.
• Why is it good for older adults? Balance improves balance, posture, and quality of walking. It also reduces risk of falling and fear of falls.

About Kari Schaffner, ISSA Certified SFOA:
As a Certified Specialist in Fitness for Older Adults (SFOA), Kari has excellent skills and training in senior wellness. With a compassionate and respectful approach, she builds trust, achieves goals and fosters caring relationships with her clients. She also prioritizes consistent contact with client family members and serves as an advocate for her clients' overall well being. Please visit www.empower-fitness.net for further information or email Kari at info@empower-fitness.net

All contents copyright C 2010 by Kari Schaffner DBA Empower Fitness Training. All rights reserved. No part of this document or the related files may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, by any means (electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher.