The importance of exercise for the elderly

by | May 31, 2012

From: Fox News

Jack Faust, a 101-year-old Navy veteran of World War II, is making headlines by competing in the 26th National Veterans Golden Age Games, a sports and recreation competition for former soldiers over the age of 55. Faust, who has won numerous gold and silver medals in previous competitions, plans to tackle such events as bowling, shuffleboard, air rifle and checkers โ€“ all of which heโ€™ll undertake in a wheelchair.

While Faustโ€™s story may seem farfetched for some, an expert says it highlights the importance of the geriatric population to stay physically active. Dr. Gisele Wolf-Klein, the director of geriatric education at the North Shore-LIJ Health System in New Hyde Park, NY, maintains that competing in fitness activities and continuing exercise routines is one of the best things an elderly individual can do for his or her health.

โ€œWhat exercise does is help people continue to build and maintain muscle mass,โ€ Wolf-Klein told FoxNews.com. โ€œMuscles, like any other organ, can atrophy if not used. For example, we know about the adverse effects of people sitting in front of the television for long periods of time. Thereโ€™s very good evidence that at any age if you embark on a good exercise program, you can maintain and rebuild muscle mass.

Wolf-Klein says that just because you get older, it doesnโ€™t mean you canโ€™t continue playing the same sports or doing the same exercises that you did when you were younger.

โ€œWe have a growing number of elderly who are just continuing the activities they were doing at the age of 30, 40 or 50,โ€ Wolf-Klein said. โ€œThere is a group of marathon runners out in California achieving times that are equivalent to what a good athlete in their 20s or 30s would be doing. Thereโ€™s no reason to assume that age alone would curtail activity.โ€

However, itโ€™s important that before an elderly individual begins a new sport or exercise, he or she should speak with a medical professional.

โ€œLike everything else, moderation is key,โ€ Wolf-Klein said. โ€œParticularly in the older age groups, if youโ€™re starting an exercise program, itโ€™s a good idea to see your doctor and mention you plan to start a new activity so that thereโ€™s no contradiction. For example, you donโ€™t want to do jarring activity that could affect your joints. If youโ€™re going to take golf the first time, good for you to do it under care of professional so you donโ€™t harm your back.โ€

If members of the geriatric population are able to incorporate daily exercise routines into their lifestyle, many studies have revealed such choices to have numerous benefits to not only their physical health, but their social health as well.

โ€œExercise, coupled with maintaining a healthy BMI, is associated with a lesser risk of cardiovascular problems, decreasing the possibility of cancer โ€“ colon cancer and breast cancer, specifically โ€“ by reducing obesity, and helping to decrease the risk of developing diabetes,โ€ Wolf-Klein said. โ€œAnd really, it helps to increase overall energy.โ€

โ€œAlso, most of our exercise activities are done in groups or with friends, which has the added benefit of socialization,โ€ Wolf-Klein continued. โ€œLoneliness is a major problem of the geriatric population. Joining an exercise club with friends is a very good way to maintain yourself in a community.โ€

When it comes to Faustโ€™s story, Wolf-Klein hopes that others will follow his example.

โ€œI think heโ€™s going to be an inspiration for many of our older adults,โ€ Wolf-Klein said. โ€œMany of our patients are in their 80s and 90s, and these people want to remain functional and independent at all costs. This veteran who is tackling this activity, he can be an encouragement for older adults that they can do it too. They just need to be active and seek some guidance if theyโ€™re unsure as to how far they should go.โ€

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