Benefits of Exercise

People of all ages and physical conditions benefit from exercise and physical activity.

Scientific studies show that staying physically active and exercising regularly can help prevent or delay many diseases and disabilities. Scientists find that even moderate exercise and physical activity can improve the health of people who are frail or who have diseases that accompany aging.

An inactive lifestyle can cause older people to lose strength, balance, flexibility, and endurance. Research suggests that exercise and physical activity can help older people maintain strength, balance, flexibility, and endurance.

Increasing strength and endurance make it easier to climb stairs and carry groceries. Improving balance helps prevent falls. Being more flexible may speed recovery from injuries. If you make exercise a regular part of your daily routine, it will have a positive impact on your quality of life as you get older.

Before Starting and Exercise Program

• Talk to your doctor.
  • If you are at high risk for any chronic diseases such as heart disease or diabetes, or if you smoke or are obese, you should check first with your doctor before becoming more physically active.
  • If you have ongoing, significant, and undiagnosed weight loss, infections, like pneumonia, accompanied by fever which can cause rapid heart beat and dehydration
    an acute blood clot, a hernia that is causing symptoms such as pain and discomfort
• If you have had hip repair or replacement
  • Check with your doctor before doing lower-body exercises.
  • Don't cross your legs.
  • Don't bend your hips farther than a 90-degree angle.
  • Avoid locking the joints in your legs into a strained position.

Safety tips

• Start slow with easy workouts.
• Consult your doctor if you have
  • any new, undiagnosed symptom
  • chest pain
  • irregular, rapid, or fluttery heart beat
  • severe shortness of breath