It’s
Not Too Late to Start an Exercise Program
After
12 weeks of weight training, seniors aged 65 and over
improved both their leg strength and endurance, and were able to walk nearly 40
percent farther without resting.
After 16 weeks of “total body” weight training, women aged 60 to 77 years
“substantially increased strength” and had improvements in walking velocity and
the ability to carry out daily tasks, such as rising from a chair or carrying a
box of groceries.
When you
exercise as an older adult, you’re gaining the ability to live independently
and fully, something that can be taken from you if your body becomes too frail.
If you’re just starting out, consult with a personal fitness trainer who can
instruct you about proper form and technique. He or she can also help you
develop a plan based on your unique fitness goals and one that is safe for any
medical conditions you may have.
Just keep in
mind that while you need to use caution, you do need to exercise at a
level that is challenging to your body. Many make the mistake of exercising
with not enough intensity, and this will result in many of your benefits being
forfeited. You can find even more inspiration in the video below, where
Willie Murphy, a then 77-year-old power lifter and grandmother, shares what
exercise, and in this case strength training, can do for you as you get older.
Reference:
mercola
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