When it comes to exercise, knowing the right amount for your age group can be very difficult to determine. Over training can cause an individual to push above their threshold causing pain and injury. To avoid this issue, lets determine the right amount of exercise for the older adult. The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that apparently healthy older adults should exercise three times per week for at least 30 minutes. Not only is the amount of exercise important, the individual needs to be conscious of their intensity. Rating of perceived exertion should be between 5-6 on a scale ranging 0-10 (“0” being no intensity and “10” being extreme intensity). When exercising an older adult, it’s imperative to take into consideration orthopedic issues including, osteoarthritis and joint replacements.
Lets talk specific modes for cardiovascular and resistance exercise. Start out by using a recumbent bike or treadmill in bouts of 5-10 minutes depending on endurance level. If access to this equipment is unavailable, walking outside on a track or even at a mall are great places to start. For muscle strengthening exercise, it is important to aim for all major muscle groups using your own body weight, resistance bands or light weights to target that 5-6 intensity range.
Flexibility training and balance training are two parts of the puzzle that are typically overlooked. If flexibility is neglected it can lead to orthopedic issues. It is important to keep the hamstrings stretched to decrease low back pain, as well as the chest and upper back muscles for upright posture. If an older adult is experiencing falls, seeking the help of a physical therapist for proper vestibular training is necessary.
The main message for older adults is to KEEP MOVING! If you realize you have been sitting for over an hour, get up and take a walk around your house. If you feel like you are about to take a nap, get up and do a few sit to stands. Lets keep you active for as long as we can.