Senior Health & Fitness Day

Participating in aerobic activities and muscle strengthening exercises are the best ways for seniors to prevent health concerns and remain independent. Experts say older adults should engage in moderate
exercise and strength training each week, however less than one-third meet this recommendation.

Fitness Can Help Seniors:

1. Reduce fall risk and increase the ability to live independently. Older adults who exercise may reduce their risk of falls by more than a third compared to sedentary peers.
2. Maintain strength, healthy joints and muscles. This can reduce and prevent arthritis, joint swelling and pain due to improved body mechanics and decreased pressure on joints.
3. Helps reduce or control blood pressure. High blood pressure is a common concern among older adults. High blood pressure can be controlled with lifestyle changes like physical activity and exercise. Moderate activity, such as brisk walking, can lower high blood pressure.
4. Reduce the risk of colon cancer. Colon cancer is in the top 5 most common cancers in the world. Preventive strategies such as lifestyle modifications with regard to obesity, physical activity, diet and smoking can decrease risk. Physical activity may prevent approximately 15% of colon cancers.
5. Reduce the risk for diabetes. Being active makes your body more sensitive to insulin. Insulin can help manage diabetes as it is the hormone that allows your body to use blood sugar for energy.

Physical Therapy Can Help Seniors:

1. The goal of physical therapy is to help restore and improve functionality, reduce pain and increase mobility for better strength and balance.
2. As people age, they tend to lose flexibility, strength and often their balance. Loss of these functions could lead to a fall with potential for injury. Physical therapy helps improve mobility or provide appropriate activity modifications.
3. Strength training and exercise provided in physical therapy can also help alleviate the symptoms of arthritis. People with arthritis can benefit from physical therapy because it provides exercises to help preserve the strength and use of the joints.

There are several ways one can stay active, including:

1. Go for a brisk walk
2. Work in the garden
3. Mow the lawn
4. Dance
5. Bicycling
6. Attend a fitness class
7. Water aerobics - decreased stress on joints

The most important thing one can do is to keep moving! Find an activity that you enjoy and try to participate in it a few times per week. This will help increase blood flow to areas of healing, decrease stress, improve sleep and increase your endorphins. If it is hard to get started due to pain for physical limitations, physical therapy can help!

Resources:

• The Importance of Physical Therapy for Seniors
  
• Exercise Programs That Promote Senior Fitness
  
• High Blood Pressure and Older Adults
• Effect of exercise on colorectal cancer prevention and treatment
  
• Physical activity is very important for people with diabetes!​

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These PT Pro Tips are brought to you by our Thiensville & Third Ward therapist, Alissa Pearson PT, DPT.

​Alissa enjoys being active. You will often find her hiking, paddle boarding, playing soccer, and playing with her dog. She loves experiencing different cultures through food and enjoys trying new restaurants. She also developed a passion for competing in bodybuilding in 2019 which she is continuing to pursue outside of work.

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