| It is not uncommon to have seniors who have | | | | approaching it - and this is the segment that |
| lived to be 100 comment on wishing they'd | | | | needs to understand the importance of regular |
| exercised more if only they'd known they'd live | | | | exercise for healthy muscles. |
| this long. But, there are still others who do not | | | | With the natural aging process, there is a decline in |
| realize the importance of exercising after a | | | | the muscle mass of the body; this starts during |
| certain age or of the devastating effect of the | | | | the forties for most people and adults in this |
| natural aging process on their muscles, which can | | | | segment can lose from 3 to 5 percent of muscle |
| put them in a debilitating condition if care is not | | | | mass every 10 years, with this increasing another |
| taken in time to attend to common aches and | | | | 1 or 2 percent after crossing 50. |
| pains. | | | | Now, since muscles helps one stay strong, by |
| Of course, the fact of good genes contributing to | | | | burning calories thus aiding weight maintenance |
| the good health of some seniors even when they | | | | efforts, besides helping keep the balance going |
| lead seemingly unhealthy lifestyles cannot be | | | | with bone strength and keeping one mobile, thus |
| denied, but the truth is longevity is not always a | | | | active, it is important to look after these in order |
| boon for every senior and some may actually | | | | to hold on to one's independence. |
| suffer through their old age if they do not take | | | | Seniors reading this article should take heart in the |
| the necessary precautions or change their | | | | findings of the latest medical studies that promote |
| lifestyles to accommodate regular physical | | | | proven ways to increase muscle mass to reduce |
| exercise in their life | | | | adverse effects of aging with ways such as |
| Regular physical exercise is known to improve the | | | | weight lifting and body toning workouts as muscle |
| quality of life during youth by reversing the signs | | | | mass can be boosted even with age with |
| of aging, increasing energy levels, encouraging | | | | optimized results recorded for these efforts in |
| better sleep patterns, reducing stress, improving | | | | response to exercise, according to the study |
| the immune system, building better cardio health | | | | conducted on Boston nursing home patients aged |
| and even providing relief from psychological issues | | | | 72 to 98 years. Both senior men and women |
| like depression and irritability. The best part of | | | | participated in this research program and |
| exercising regularly is that it is never too late to | | | | underwent weight lifting sessions designed for |
| begin a basic program, even for senior persons. | | | | older adults based on exercises that required |
| In the US alone, statistics reported by the ACSM | | | | them to lift their legs thrice weekly across a |
| (College of Sports Medicine in America) bring to | | | | 10-week program and the study found thigh |
| light thought-provoking figures for the population | | | | muscle mass of the respondents had increased |
| segment of seniors (over 65 years) reaching the | | | | by 2.7%, their speed of walking had gone up by |
| 70 million mark by 2030. The same study reveals | | | | an amazing 12% - and hold your breath - their leg |
| that persons over the age of 85 will constitute | | | | strength had improved by a huge 113%! |
| the fastest growing division of the American | | | | So, no matter how old a person is, with the right |
| population, which means a fairly good number | | | | guidance, he or she can exercise their way to a |
| have already reached this stage or are | | | | ripe old age and celebrate every milestone. |