Physical Activity and Healthy Aging - Essay Example

Regular exercise has been proven through various studies to decrease morbidity and increase the quality of life enjoyed by the elderly population.

            In the six-year study carried out by the researchers at the U.S. National Institute of Aging participated by 302 high-functioning, community-dwelling older adults (aged 70-82 years), results showed that free-living activity energy expenditure was strongly associated with low risk of mortality in healthy older adults and may influence survival (Manini et al., 2006). Todd Manini, the head researcher of the team and an Exercise Physiologist, wanted to find out the beneficial value of the “just usual” daily activities to the elderly. Found out that 600 calories are equivalent to approximately 2 hours length of physical activity which could either be derived from a structured gym exercise or simply a variety of routine household activities such as washing the dishes, vacuuming the house, or gardening.

            Another study related to the significance of exercise for older adults was conducted by Martins, Verissimo, Coelho e Silva, Cumming, and Teixeira (2010). Martins et al., (2010) research objective were to investigate the training effect of sixteen weeks of moderate intensity, progressive aerobic and strength-based training on the metabolic health of older women and men, considering 63 sedentary individuals (with a mean age of 76 years old) assigned randomly to control (n=31) or exercising groups (n=32). Results showed that the exercising group attained after treatment significant differences in body weight, waist circumference, body mass index, diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol relationship, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and 6-minute walk distance. The control group only had significant differences in waist circumference. Hence, the training programs produced significant benefits on metabolic health indicators of sedentary older women and men.

            Furthermore, while age is considered a non-modifiable risk factor for heart disease, according to Kannel (2002), hypertension, dyslipidemia, impaired glucose tolerance, and obesity remain the major modifiable risk factors for most of the coronary diseases afflicting the elderly. The American Heart Association or AHA (2011) pointed out that physical inactivity is a major risk factor for developing coronary artery disease. With regular aerobic physical activity (such as brisk walking, jumping rope, jogging, bicycling, cross-country skiing, and dancing), fitness level and capacity for exercise increase. It also plays a role in both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease for it helps control blood lipid abnormalities, diabetes, and obesity. Physical activities improve flexibility, build muscular strength, and increase endurance, making the heart work more efficiently.

Exercise should, therefore, be encouraged for the elderly as studies have shown that physical activity brings many health benefits and longevity, indeed. However, people should not wait to reach old age to start aerobic exercises because starting to be physically active now while still young promises a healthier, brighter, and worthwhile way of life tomorrow.