Columbia Aged Care

Staying active as you age can benefit the body in so many ways. It can help build muscle strength and flexibility, help prevent diseases such as heart disease and can help with balance. Exercise is also good for mental health and well being as it keeps the brain active.

However, although exercise is good, it is important to ensure it is done properly and that the right sport or fitness regime is chosen. 

WNCNews has provided some examples of the types of sports that are appropriate for the elderly.

1. Yoga
Yoga is a fantastic exercise that helps both body and mind. It helps to develop core strength, increase muscle mass, increase flexibility and help with cardiovascular endurance. It is also helps deal with stress through meditation and relaxation techniques.

2. Swimming
An excellent sports choice for those who experience joint pain. It is a good work out for the entire body and not only helps with core muscle strength but it can also help strengthen arms and legs. Swimming is also very good for those who experience breathing difficulties or asthma as it forces your breathing habits to change.

3. Walking
An exercise that can be enjoyed by all people at any fitness level. Around 30 minutes of walking a day is a great habit to get into and can really help with fitness levels. Walking is also a very relaxing exercise and a great way to spend some quality time by yourself or with friends.

Not all sports are appropriate for elderly people and it is important that before starting any sport or fitness regime to consult your GP and have them test your health levels and vital organs, such as your heart and lungs, to find out what you can and cannot do.

Read the full article here.

ABC of Yoga have written an article explaining that yoga is the perfect activity for seniors to stay fit and relax. They have also provided a basic yoga session for seniors to follow.

Growing Old is the stage when you have more time for yourself, your family, for leisure, recreation and relaxation. However, it is also the time when you are more susceptible to some ailments that are linked to old age like Arthritis, rheumatism, incontinence, and High Blood Pressure. This raises the need for the seniors to stay fit and healthy during this age. Though the degeneration of the body also set some limits to the types of exercises they can do.
This leads to the practice of milder forms of exercise such as jogging, brisk walking, and even Yoga.

Yoga is a form of exercise that adapts to your needs and abilities that it can be done even by Senior Citizens and Pregnant Women, and deals with your whole being. It makes your body fitter, the mind calmer and more relaxed. Yoga is also beneficial in the prevention and control of common health and emotional problems that is linked with Old Age.

It helps you in becoming more in touch with yourself and your body enabling you to accept who you are and the state you are in which creates a positive approach in life. Some Yoga Asanas are designed to normalise your blood pressure and balance the Nervous System and are essential in the prevention of heart ailments and problems in the nervous system.

The Breathing Techniques can make you feel refreshed and cleanses the air passages which can help prevent respiratory ailments.

In practicing Yoga, know your body and respect its limits. Do not push yourself too hard in a pose. Yoga can only be effective if you practice it properly. The harder you try, the more you expose yourself to injury. Do not put more stress to your already stressed out body.
 
Remember that Yoga aims to quiet the mind as you exercise the body. If you feel pain, stop what you are doing. ABC of Yoga have provided a basic yoga session for seniors to follow. You do not have to do all the poses, stop when you already feel tired.