Happy National Senior Health and Fitness Day!

Exercise benefits people whether they start at age 16 or 65. The important thing for senior health and fitness is to be consistent and get out there.

Exercise helps you remember.

Don’t want to forget all the great experiences you’ve had throughout your life? Aerobic exercise increases the size of the hippocampus, the part of our brain that deals with memory and learning.

At age 40, a man’s testosterone level starts to drop, along with 5-8% of muscle mass per decade.

Keep the core strong!

Yoga and pilates helps strengthen the core and keeps our bodies from starting to curve forward into our 50s. Be sure to sit up straight to make a big difference in core strength.

Already a fitness buff?

Good job! A recent study found that aged 80+ lifelong elite athletes had comparable cardiovascular fitness as non-endurance athletes who were 40 years younger.

The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, 5 times per week

2 types of activities to stay healthy (over 65):

• Muscle-strengthening
• Aerobic

Get off your butt!

Interrupt long periods of sitting with light activity. Movement helps with senior health and fitness.

HAVE FUN.

Be sure to do what you enjoy, not what you think you’re supposed to do.

Sources:

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/fitness/Pages/physical-activity-guidelines-for-older-adults.aspx

http://health.usnews.com/health-news/articles/2012/04/20/your-guide-to-exercising-through-the-ages

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/PhysicalActivity/FitnessBasics/American-Heart-Association-Recommendations-for-Physical-Activity-in-Adults_UCM_307976_Article.jsp

http://www.yogahealthfoundation.org/health_benefits_of_yoga_explained

http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/regular-exercise-changes-brain-improve-memory-thinking-skills-201404097110

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/lifelong-exercise-can-help-you-maintain-speed-and-fitness-as-you-age/2013/04/22/39b5479e-9ff2-11e2-82bc-511538ae90a4_story.html

http://jap.physiology.org/content/114/1/3

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