According to the Elderly Statute, the third age includes all people who are over 60 years old. Only here in Brazil, according to the last census of the IBGE – Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística, 14% of the population is elderly. This corresponds to approximately 30 million people.
The aging process is natural . During this period of life, some changes occur in the body, such as:
– Decreased skeletal mass;
– Increase in the percentage of fat;
– Decreased immunity;
– Decreased motor skills.
Physical exercises help prevent various diseases , both physical and psychological in the elderly. We’ve listed 4 things about exercise for seniors that you need to know.
Keep reading!
1- Why practice physical exercises in old age?
The practice of physical exercises by the elderly promotes both physical and mental well-being for the elderly. It is by exercising that they prevent the onset of diseases and treat existing illnesses.
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Physical exercises should never be neglected at this stage: they are the main responsible for increasing Deductible health and well-being.
2- What are the main benefits of physical exercise for the elderly?
There are several benefits of physical activity for the elderly. Among them, we highlight:
- Prevention of the most common chronic diseases in this age group, such as diabetes and hypertension;
- Improved sleep;
- Increase in energy;
- Increased muscle strength.
In addition to all this, physical exercises provide the elderly with social and mental well-being, since when performing the exercises, the elderly can take the opportunity to interact, talk and make new friends.
3- What is the importance of a professional to guide the practice of physical exercise for the elderly?
The body of the elderly, in general, is a little more fragile and because of this, people in this age group are more prone to injuries. The accompaniment of a physical education professional for the practice of physical exercise for the elderly is extremely important, both to prevent injuries and to help the elderly to develop the movements of the activity correctly.
4- What are the main physical exercises recommended for the elderly?
The most common activities recommended for seniors are:
- Moderate walks, in which the elderly should walk a little faster than usual;
- Water activities, such as swimming and water aerobics, are low-impact.
- Bodybuilding, always under the guidance of a qualified professional;
- Stretching, which should be practiced before and after activities and upon waking up.
5- How long do the elderly need to perform physical activities?
The intensity and duration of physical activity varies from person to person, regardless of age. We can find both more debilitated elderly people and people over 65 years old running marathons, for example.
The recommended time is approximately 150 minutes per week at moderate intensity. This equates to 30 minutes a day for 5 days.
Physical exercises for the elderly should always be encouraged. It’s never late to start!