Exercise is important at any stage in life, but it can have important benefits for senior adults. According to the National Institute on Aging, regular exercise can reduce a person's risk of developing chronic conditions. Studies have shown that people with arthritis, heart disease and diabetes benefit from regular exercises. It can also help aging adults who have high blood pressure and difficulty walking.
Mary Smith, group fitness coordinator at the Tri-County at the YMCA in Scott Depot, teaches a SilverSneakers fitness program class for older adults. The program is an insurance benefit included in more than 65 Medicare health plans, according to its website. The class has more than 13,000 locations nationwide including several in the Charleston area.
Smith said it doesn't matter how old you are when you start exercising, but older adults might need to start more slowly than others. The classes have a big following, she said, and sometimes draw between 30 and 40 people. Part of the appeal is that it gives people a chance to socialize with each other, she said. While the class is designed for older individuals, there's not actually a minimum age and the class has at least one 90-year-old, she said. Participants do cardiovascular exercise as well as weights and resistance bands. They also work with a small ball that helps with agility and balance, she said.
Studies have shown that when people work out to a rhythm, it helps with memory retention, she said.
The guidelines she gives to older adults are similar to the ones she would give anyone, Smith said.
Don't do anything your body - or your doctor - tell you that you shouldn't. She encourages people to drink fluids, not to lock their knees and to keep a chair around for balance if needed.
According to the SilverSneakers program website, exercise does not need to be vigorous in order to produce results. Even moderate-level activities can help lower health risks. The program recommends if people opt for vigorous workouts they work up to that activity gradually.
For older adults just starting out exercising, SilverSneakers program recommends the following:
n Check with your doctor before starting out if you have a family history of heart disease.
n Don't try to work out too much too soon, and work out at an intensity that suits you.
n Pick activities that are fun and you can do year-round.
n Stretch slowly, and take time before and after your workout to warm up and cool down.
n Wear comfortable clothing.
n Choose a well-lighted, safe place with a smooth, soft surface.