Many people often believe it is good if the elderly refrain from exercising, as it may lead to injuries and increased muscle and joint pain. Is that a fact or just a popular myth? Should the elderly stop exercising? Does stopping exercises really prevent complications and further deterioration of health in the elderly? In this health article we bust three popular myths about exercise and the elderly.
Myth 1 - Exercising causes increased muscle and joint pain in the elderly.
Fact - Studies show that exercises do not actually aggravate the muscle and joint pains in the elderly. Contrary to the belief that exercising causes increased muscle and joint pain, elderly who exercise regularly have less pain and better joint function than those who refrain from exercising. Practicing flexibility exercises regularly for the upper joints including neck, shoulder, arms, wrist and finger, and for the lower joints including low back, hip, knee, ankle, and toes help in maintaining essential range of motion.
Myth 2 - Exercising causes further deterioration of health in the elderly.
Fact - It is a known fact that with age many people develop declined motor skills, declining strength and endurance. Inactivity or refraining from exercising can only worsen the decreasing strength, endurance, and declining motor skills and may cause the elderly to lose their independence. Exercising regularly helps condition the muscles and tendons and bones and prevent osteoporosis, and keep the joints stable, lowering the risk of everyday injury. Moreover, inactivity and lack of exercise may also lead to more illnesses, increased doctor visits, hospitalization, and use of medicine. Furthermore, exercising also improves digestion, relieves stress and anxiety, and eases depression.
Myth 3 - Exercising can lead to sudden cardiac arrest in the elderly.
Fact - Inactivity and lack of exercise put the elderly at risk of developing heart diseases. For good cardiac health experts recommend 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercises OR 75 minutes of vigorous intensity exercises OR an equivalent combination of both moderate and vigorous intensity exercises per week. Contrary to the belief that exercising can lead to sudden cardiac arrest in the elderly, exercising regularly helps the elderly control their blood pressure, manage cholesterol levels and body weight, and cut the risk of cardiac diseases such as heart attack and stroke.
Take home message - Growing older is mainly a decline in physical and motor abilities and a decreasing capacity to adapt to change, disease and injury. Growing old doesn’t have to stop anyone from exercising and being active. It is always recommended that the elderly engage in short exercise bouts rather than longer ones which include stretching exercises and strengthening exercises.
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