A healthy lifestyle is absolutely essential for mature adults, and one of the most important factors in that is a regular exercise routine. A regular exercise routine will help any adult to improve their overall health and fitness, as well as reduce the risk of illness and disease in the long run. Many put off visiting an exercise physiologist as they don’t think they will have the time or that they are too old, but exercise can be prescribed for each individual based on their needs. You don’t need to do long, intense workouts if they are not for you, and you’re certainly never too old.
When we get older, our physiology begins to change and this can leave us more susceptible to illnesses and injuries. This means that if we want to ensure we’re living a healthy, happy life, exercise is the only way to go about it. Regular exercise could be things like going on short walks, short circuits with minimal equipment, and even swimming. It isn’t just about what’s good for you, but what you enjoy. If you enjoy something then you are far more likely to stick to it and won’t mind having it in your routine.
More About How Mature Adults Benefit From Regular Exercise
Any good clinical exercise physiologist will tell you that implementing regular exercise into your lifestyle will be key to ensuring you keep illness at bay, stay mobile, and even fight off mental health issues like depression. Exercise is one of the best ways to achieve improved healing and function too. Seniors can decrease the time it takes for wounds to heal by 25% when they lead active lifestyles! A healthy, strong body is also much better at fighting off infection.
There are many changes one will notice as they age. These are natural and they happen to everyone, although regular exercise could slow them down and ensure you stay mobile for as long as possible. Slowing down is a natural part of the ageing process, as well as muscle atrophy (losing muscle). Deconditioning (a change in body condition) also occurs over time, and this comes with a decreased elasticity for tendons and ligaments which in turn can encourage injuries. Reduced balance is also reported by many.
Why Visit An Exercise Physiologist?
Going to visit an exercise physiologist Sydney will mean being able to get a proper assessment and a plan so that you can move forward with peace of mind. This in depth physical assessment will be performed by an accredited exercise physiologist and will give you an idea of any barriers that could hinder your fitness journey, knowledge of the exercise you should be doing and duration, as well as important strategies for permanent behaviour change to make the whole process easier. This means that you’ll leave the physiologists office feeling confident that you have all of the information you need to move forward with a healthy routine that makes you feel good and keeps you healthy in the long run.
An exercise program created and prescribed for you as an individual is important. Generic plans that have been found online or purchased from unqualified people could cause you more harm than good in the long run. With a visit to an exercise physiologist they will take your strengths and weaknesses into account, and create a plan based on what is best for you to work on. By following the plan and their instructions to the letter, you should notice big changes in your functional fitness, your mood, and even your body shape.
Exercise: One Of The Most Beneficial Lifestyle Changes
Exercise is one of the most effective lifestyle changes that one can implement to improve the physiological changes that come with ageing – if not the most effective. With the right exercise program you can improve bone mass density through weight lifting and resistance training, decrease your risk of falling thanks to improved balance and strength, and improve full body strength and function. It takes time and consistency, and you don’t need to do the same thing every day. However, after a while you should notice that your balance is better, you can maybe carry more shopping at one time, and you feel more capable of getting things done throughout the day.
You will also improve your mobility, avoiding the use of things like chairs, sticks, and walkers to get around. The earlier you begin to exercise, the less likely you are to need one of these walking aids. You will improve your overall quality of life and independence as you build your strength, self esteem, and confidence. Plus, you will improve your mental health and reduce the risk of things like depression and anxiety. A walking group, fitness class, or another opportunity for exercise is a great way to find like minded people and make friends – isolation and depression are two very real risks for mature adults. It’s all too easy to end up cooped up at home with nobody to speak to for days or even weeks at a time. Getting out of the house is essential, and heading out to exercise is a great way to do that. Not only will your brain enjoy all of the short term happy hormones and long term mental health benefits, you may actually meet friends along the way.
How Much Exercise and What Type of Exercise Is Best For Mature Adults?
It’s advised that mature adults do 150 minutes per week of exercise at moderate intensity. You can have a few more faster paced sessions mixed in with some slower and low impact sessions if you like.
It’s important to include the various types of exercise to improve your health and quality of life overall. Trying to include a mix of aerobic training, resistance training, and balance and flexibility training will have the biggest impact on your health in the long run. Of course, it’s always wise to have a trusted exercise physiologist come up with a plan and devise a schedule for you so you can undertake this in the healthiest way possible.
History and current health can vary and have a big impact on exercise selection which is why visiting an exercise physiology clinic and speaking with a reputable exercise physio is a must. You might think it’s easier and/or cheaper to get a plan online, but these plans do not take your age and individual physiology and needs into account. Plus, anybody can upload plans online – they don’t even need a knowledge of exercise and the body to do so! Even if these plans don’t harm you, then they will not benefit you as much as they could. If you’re serious about enjoying the benefits of regular exercise, you need a plan that has been carefully tailored to you.
You could even work alongside a mobile exercise physiologist if you do not wish to visit them at their offices. In no time at all, you could have a healthy routine that you enjoy, better functional fitness, and improved cognitive function. Many studies also report that exercise gives people a much lower risk of dementia and other issues that sometimes come hand in hand with ageing.
Let’s not forget that with regular exercise, you can also expect an improved quality of life and increased life expectancy. You’ll be able to watch your family grow up, spend more time with your grandchildren and great grandchildren, and more.
It’s important to remember that consistency in a routine is far more important than intensity. If you have the energy for more of an intense session one day that’s great, but don’t lose sight of the most important elements of your routine. Consistency over everything is your goal. Look for an exercise physiologist and chat with them about how you may be able to incorporate this into your routine.
Conclusion: Should You Begin To Incorporate Exercise Into Your Routine?
Exercise is a very good addition to a routine for people of any age, but especially mature adults.
Most people just need to make it a habit and a priority before they can get the full benefit of their exercise routine. Remember, you absolutely don’t need to be perfect, or even do it every single day (although a little, even gentle exercise each day will have huge benefits).
Starting as early on in your life as you can will be one of the best things you can do, too. If you’re still fairly young and think ‘oh, I can wait until I need it’ – don’t! The earlier you start, the better you will stave off age related issues. You’ll be glad you did it. Remember: it’s never too late to get started!
Get in touch with an NDIS exercise physiologist today and discuss your needs to see what your routine should look like. It might feel daunting to start working out, but you will love how it makes you feel and all of the additional health benefits.
