6 Effective and Safe Physical Exercises for People Over 50
Staying healthy and physically fit is something that everyone needs to achieve throughout the course of their lifespan. From the moment you were able to learn how to crawl, stand up, walk, and run until the time that you will be using a cane or even a walker to support you in your mobility, there are simply some things that you can do to keep your body in tip-top shape appropriate for its age. Unfortunately, for many individuals who are already at the half century mark in their lives, keeping fit and staying healthy might be a little bit more challenging than it used to.
You have to understand that as you grow older, the different tissues in your body are no longer that tensile, no longer that elastic, and no longer that resilient as it used to be when you were still in your teens and 20s. Add to this the possible existence of cardiovascular, metabolic, and neuroendocrine disorders that may affect your ability to stay healthy. However, optimum nutrition and the appropriate exercises are needed for every age group. The key for those individuals who are already beyond the half century mark is to identify what physical exercises will best benefit them given their declining physiology.
Here are 6 very simple and truly enjoyable physical exercises that any individual beyond 50 years of age can safely perform. As always, it is best to seek the opinion of your medical doctor if you can perform any of these exercises.
Walking
By far the easiest and most practical way to keep fit, walking can also be enjoyable especially if you are going to take a walk with your loved one. However, you may need to either pick up the pace or walk for significantly longer distances every time you set out. A nice goal will to walk at a 5 mph pace, gradually increasing it to tolerable levels. Walking is excellent for cardiovascular endurance. Because the exertion is not that intense, it should not burden your heart so much even if you have a cardiac problem. However, it is always best to seek your doctor’s advice if you have a cardiac problem.
Tai Chi and Qigong
A Mayo Clinic study revealed that fall injuries account for more than 35 percent of all injuries experienced by individuals aged 65 and above. And while you may still be in your 50s, do not underestimate the need for balance. This is the essence of Tai Chi and Qigong. Many refer to them as one and the same. However, Tai Chi is more inclined to movements necessary to train in the martial arts. Qigong, on the other hand, has movements that are designed primarily for healing. Unfortunately still, many Westerners simply look at one as essentially the same thing as the other. Nonetheless, the graceful movements of both Qigong and Tai Chi can be used to improve balance, enhance focus and concentration, develop stronger muscles, and stabilize mental wellness. The exercises helps individuals to relax, improve posture, and coordinate their mind and body.
Pilates
One way to improve muscle strength while at the same time enhancing overall flexibility, economy of motion, and agility is to engage in Pilates. Originally intended to help dancers stay fit, Pilates has now a growing number of followers in the senior population because of its benefits in improving posture and the stabilization of the different joints of the body. Some studies have also reported Pilates as particularly effective in the alleviation of symptoms of certain chronic conditions such as low back pain.
Yoga
Some call it meditation exercises. However, yoga is more than simple meditation. It teaches you to be more conscious of what your body is telling you. It involves stretching and relaxation intended to provide you with a calmer mind, a more physically fit body, and more relaxed. Yoga has been shown to improve cardiovascular functioning as well as improve the flow of air into the respiratory passages and the lungs.
Biking
Considered a much more intense form of cardiovascular endurance training, biking has the added advantage of maintaining optimum muscle tone in the lower legs as well as improved circulation. This can help prevent venous stasis that can significantly affect overall blood circulation. Additionally, since the leg muscles continue to be worked out, they are able to continue providing support and balance to the rest of the upper body.
Swimming
Taking several laps on a swimming pool at least 30 minutes every single day should keep your heart staying healthy and fit. Additionally, your lungs will also be trained to expand with more air as you try to regulate your breathing. The muscles in your legs and your arms can be developed further and your swim movements make an excellent exercise for joint mobility.
Reaching the half century mark should not stop you from maintaining physical fitness, mental soundness, and emotional stability. However, it is often important to seek the advice of your primary care physician if you can perform the exercise that you want. If not, these 6 exercises listed here are generally safe.
