Stay Active to Be Healthy

Can Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia be prevented, delayed or stopped?

THAT QUESTION IS STILL UNANSWERED. Some studies do suggest that physical exercise may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease or help delay or slow diseases that cause memory loss and impair mental activity. But nothing has been scientifically proven.

Here’s the good news.

REGULAR EXERCISE and other types of physical activity have many benefits for seniors. Exercise stimulates the human brain’s ability to maintain old connections and make new ones. It keeps your heart healthy and improves circulation.

Despite these benefits, too many seniors are still inactive. A report by the National Institutes of Health found that only about 25 percent of people between the ages of 65 and 74 actually engage in regular exercise. That number drops to 11 percent once people reach 85 years of age.

So what should be your exercise goal if you’re over 65, generally fit and have no limiting health conditions?

1. 150 MINUTES OF AEROBIC EXERCISE PER WEEK.

Aerobic exercise is anything that gets your heart pumping faster and your lungs breathing harder. So take a walk, start swimming, or join a dance class. Just 30 minutes a day, five days a week and you’ve met your goal.

2. STRENGTH TRAINING EXERCISES TWICE A WEEK.

Lifting weights, pushups, and yoga are three ways you can strengthen your muscles and prevent muscle loss. Just be sure to work out all of your muscle groups: legs, hip, back, chest, abdomen, shoulder and arms. It’s never too late and you’re never too old to get off the couch and start moving and improving your overall health!

Source: CDC