Articles

Exercise Safety for Older Adults

Many issues may come up when someone 55 and older is thinking about starting an exercise program. A couple of questions that you may ask yourself is: "Is it possible for me to exercise with the special condition that I have?" Then you may ask. "Where do I begin and can I keep it safe?"

To answer the 1st question, nearly every disease or injury known to humanity can be treated with exercise. Certain steps might need to be taken before beginning, but so long as your patient you will eventually get to start. An example of such a step is checking with your healthcare provider to see if there are any limitations. If you are working with a trainer, then he or she most likely will seek a medical clearance.

Once you decide to begin a program, it is best that you work with a qualified health/fitness professional. A fitness instructor can design a program with your special needs in mind. For example, if your arthritic, the instructor will create a program with low impact and low resistance. This will ensure that the program will not make you to sore to move or swell up your joints. This will also be accomplished by providing instruction in proper form and technique.

Other diseases such as diabetes and post-cardiac care can be more threatening, but this does not mean exercise should be avoided. Once again, your healthcare provider can provide you with answers to your limitations. If you haven't received a stress test or a recent physical I suggest you do so.

Before ending, understand that exercise is for everybody. Think about the guys who are playing tennis and even running marathons well into their 80's. Maybe you want be in any marathons to soon, but your can dramatically improve your quality of life by exercising.

Kelly Huggins, B.S., ACSM HFI
The Fitness MythBuster
404.303.8305 kelly@kellyhuggins.com