Why should I exercise?
Exercise has many benefits. Exercise can help you:
- maintain a healthy weight or help you reach your weight loss goals
- reduce the likelihood of gaining weight as you age
- maintain bone mass
- lower blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels
- reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease,
and osteoporosis
- reduce stress and improve the quality of sleep
- maintain a higher level of cardiovascular fitness, mobility, strength,
flexibility, and improves the stereotypical image of aging
What is the difference between activities of daily living and structured exercise?
Activities of daily living (ADLs) are the activities you do on a
regular basis that can help to burn calories, maintain strength and agility, and
keep active. Examples of these include washing the car, gardening, raking
leaves, washing dishes, vacuuming, etc. These activities do not necessarily
count as exercise. Be sure to note the distinction in these ADLs as compared to
structured exercises. You need both types of movement in order to maintain an
optimal level of physical activity.
Structured exercise includes activities specifically geared
toward a purpose, usually to improve cardiovascular fitness, strength,
flexibility, or balance and agility. There are specific definitions as to what
constitutes exercise. Some activities may fit into both categories (exercise and
ADLs) based on the intensity and duration. One example of an activity fitting
both categories would be walking while mowing the lawn.
How do I get started?
Before starting an exercise program, it is important to talk
with your doctor to determine any limitations you may have in regards to
exercise. Exercise can be safe for almost anyone. However, certain limitations
may be placed on individuals who suffer from chronic conditions such as
arthritis, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, and certain
pulmonary conditions, among others.
Building an exercise routine takes time. Slowly incorporate
exercise into your weekly routine, starting with a reasonable amount you can
build on. Eventually, you should be able to incorporate some type of physical
activity into every day.
Determine what activities you enjoy. Exercise should not be
looked at primarily as a chore. Finding activities that interest you are
important because you are more likely to maintain them long term. Try something
new. There are many new forms of exercise that are becoming more popular and
accessible. When possible, try some of the new fitness trends. Changing your
routine and trying new things can help prevent boredom.
Make sure that if your exercise routine is primarily outdoors
you are able to have a back-up plan for bad weather.
You should plan for consistency. Exercise benefits are best seen
if the routine is maintained with minimal disruption. Everyone has a different
tolerance for exercise. If you start experiencing feelings of burnout,
reevaluate your routine. Make changes that you feel can be maintained. You can
add more later once you feel more comfortable with your routine.
Components of an exercise program
There are four main components of a well-rounded exercise program. These are:
- cardiovascular exercises (aerobic exercise)
- strengthening exercises
- flexibility exercises
- balance and agility exercises
Aerobic exercises
Aerobic exercise helps to improve heart and lung function.
Walking, swimming, running, biking, dancing, and hiking are just a few examples
of aerobic exercise. The benefits of aerobic exercise include:
- lower cholesterol and blood pressure
- increased endurance
- a lower resting heart rate
- weight loss or maintenance
- stress relief
- improved sleep
Aerobic exercise should be performed for 30 minutes, five to
seven days per week. If time management is an issue, or poor endurance is an
issue, break the 30 minutes into three sessions of 10 minutes each.
Strengthening exercises
Strength or resistance exercises can help to maintain strong
bones, break some of the stereotypes associated with aging, increase metabolism,
and help to achieve or maintain a higher level of function. Resistance exercises
can include the use of:
- machine or free weights
- exercise balls
- hand weights or bands
- different types of exercises (such as Pilates or calisthenics)
Strength exercises for general fitness should be performed two
times per week for every major muscle group. Larger muscle exercises using
several joints, such as lunges or bench presses, should be spaced out to provide
three to four days of rest in between sessions. Smaller muscle exercises require
as little as one day of rest in between sessions.
Strength training is based on the overload principle. If you
feel as though your muscles have not been strained, then chances are they have
not. Talk with your therapist or allied health provider to determine what
resistance exercises are safe for you, and what weight or resistance is appropriate.
Flexibility exercises
Flexibility is an important fitness component that helps to
maintain pain-free range-of-motion. There are many different reasons why
stretching is important, and orthopedic issues may include different
recommendations specific to any conditions you may have. For general fitness,
however, it is important to stretch either after exercise or independent of
exercise so that your muscles are generally "not cold." It is no longer
recommended to stretch prior to exercise. However, a proper warm-up of a
lower-intensity cardiovascular exercise is imperative.
Stretching can be performed daily, or several times a day,
depending on the recommendations of your therapists. Yoga and tai chi can also
help with stretching. Ballistic stretching (or bouncing during a stretch) is not
recommended. Static stretching is when a stretch is held for a specific length
of time, usually several seconds to half a minute, and repeated. Dynamic
stretching is a method of stretching where the body is moving fluidly while
attempting to improve flexibility. Ask your therapist which methods of
flexibility are appropriate for you.
Balance/agility exercises
Balance and agility are important not only in athletic
performance, but also in general fitness. Balance can be negatively impacted by
the aging process. It is never too early to try and improve balance and agility
to negate this aspect of aging. Depending on any limitations you may have, not
all exercises to improve balance may be appropriate for you. More basic or
beginner levels of balance include standing on one foot, walking heel to toe, or
standing on your toes. Tai chi is also an excellent balance exercise for
beginner and intermediate balance abilities. Intermediate levels of balance
exercise may also include using the exercise ball, performing basic exercises
with your eyes closed, or performing one-legged exercises. More advanced
exercises include many exercise ball exercises and the BOSU® ball.
Talk with your therapist to determine your ability level and for suggestions to
help improve balance and agility.
Source
www.cdc.gov/
© Copyright 1995-2011 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All rights reserved.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 9/2011...#4172
