FUNCTIONAL BENEFITS OF EXERCISE FOR OLDER ADULTS AND SENIORS
The goal of exercise programs, whether working with a Fitness Coach or in a group setting, may differ from the goals for younger adults. One key difference is that many older adults and seniors can use exercise to improve or maintain their day-to-day functional abilities and thus help them stay independent, and/or avoid disability.
For instance, a certain level of lower-body strength is needed to get out of a bathtub, climb stairs, or simply get up out of a chair. Adequate levels of agility, power, and dynamic balance are needed to move out of the of an approaching car.
Some simple functional tasks that may be made easier by performing different types of exercises, guided or otherwise, are listed below:
*Aerobic endurance training: Walk in order to perform errands, go to the store, or attend events. Also performing activities requiring stamina such as vacuuming, raking the yard, or climbing stairs.
*Resistance training for upper body and trunk: Lift and hold a grandchild, place luggage in overhead compartment during travel, carry groceries, open heavy doors, perform garden work such as pulling weeds, doing housework like washing windows and cleaning light fixtures.
*Resistance training for lower body: Stand up from the floor, get into and out of a chair, bathtub, or even get out of a car, climb stairs, pick up a package from the floor, step up onto a curb.
*Flexibility training for upper body: Turn head to look at traffic while driving or walking, fasten a zipper on the back of a dress, scratch an itch on the back, reach overhead to a cupboard, comb hair, or put on a bra. (My mom had this issue due to severe stiffness in her shoulders)
*Flexibility training for lower body and trunk: Put on socks and shoes, put on slacks/pants, inspect one’s own feet, cut one’s own toenails, pick up items that have been dropped on the floor.
*Balance and mobility training: Walk the dog safely, maneuver around potential environmental hazards, curbs, and stairs, pull weeds, respond appropriately to unexpected loss of balance.
In most cases, the benefits of exercise can be made more important and worthy of attention to older adults if the benefits can be directly linked to the ability to remain independent. Hence, the reason for posting the above list. The physiological(fitness) benefits derived from exercise may be too abstract or uninteresting for some older adults and seniors.
I think many potential clients might be better motivated by self-identifying important tasks and activities of daily life and recreation and then having a Fitness Coach or activity instructor explain how various types of exercises can help them maintain and/or improve their ability to do these activities. Especially if it’s something they are passionate about.
