4 Myths About Exercise and Aging
As people get older, physical exercise can seem more difficult and require more effort. This often gives people the perception that they don’t have to exercise or that it’s not possible like it is when you’re younger. As you get older you also often become busier with full-time jobs and families, which also leaves less time for physical activity.
Although these are understandable explanations for not getting enough exercise, it doesn’t change the fact that people of all ages need regular physical exercise. Exercising plays an important role in limiting the chances of serious health conditions as well as keeping your brain and body working properly. Here are 4 popular myths that often keep older people from getting the physical exercise they need.
Myth #1: As you age you don’t have enough energy to exercise
Aging does not always play a role in the energy level one has. Someone who is 60 years old can have more energy than a 20-year-old if they put in the effort. When someone does not exercise at all they are not working towards releasing endorphins and building the muscles they need to help improve energy levels. So it doesn’t matter what your age is, everyone has the ability to improve their energy. The more active you are, the better your activity tolerance is and the more you can do throughout the day. The less active you are, the lower your activity tolerance.
Myth #2: Exercising is dangerous for older people & can cause injury
Some older people stay away from physical exercise because they think it could lead to a serious injury. Although those risks exist, they also exist for younger people as well. Anyone can injure themselves while doing a physical activity so that cannot be an excuse for older people to not work out. Building strength and flexibility and exercising correctly can actually help to avoid the risk of injury for all ages. Injury risks can also be avoided by paying attention to warming up, stretching, and slowing easing yourself into the frequencies and intensity of your workout.
Myth #3: An older heart isn’t strong enough to exercise
When done regularly, exercise helps strengthen your heart rather than put it at risk. If you are not diagnosed with any heart problems or have a family history of heart disease, there isn’t any reason to avoid physical exercise because of fear of heart failure. If heart failure is still a concern for you, you don’t have to indulge yourself in very intense physical exercise. Going for a brisk walk or using light weights is still enough to help your blood circulation and cholesterol levels. It has been said that being a couch potato is actually more dangerous for your heart than physical activity.
Myth #4: It’s too late to start exercising
No age is too late to start exercising! Actually, not moving is much riskier and can speed up the aging process. People who do not partake in any physical activity are twice as likely to develop heart disease.