When is an elderly person?
It is very difficult to determine when it begins the period of human development commonly known as seniors. The experts in human evolution did not agree as to when you start aging, because it will depend on many factors that affect the life that has been: food, activity, profession, lived events, so to tackle them, and so on. Hence say that chronological age does not define the aging but in our society seems to be accepted as a starting point for this stage of life the time for retirement, whether or not an active worker, ranking it around 65.

Old age is it a disease?
Over the years the body undergoes changes that affect each person differently. On the one hand to the body ages, it becomes a new image acquired, increases wrinkles, hair turns gray, the weight varies so on. In addition there is a reduction of certain powers, premature fatigue, forgetfulness and so on. but this does not mean you are sick, on the contrary, this stage has to live positively, as something natural, living with this process in a healthy and optimistic.


At this time of life when people can find the time to do activities that have been delayed for lack of time or the need to focus attention and efforts on the responsibilities that are now released. It is well known that parents too strict with their children become grandparents permissive. It is over in the responsibilities imposed social organization active adults, which allows many people to manifest itself in a more natural, and in many cases with greater human component to reach old age. Knowing take advantage of these opportunities for personal development that offers compensation go birthday today, sometimes more than the physical impacts of change over time.
Must be clear about the difference between the signs of aging and disease. Although there are no recipes for eternal youth, there are aspects that can be controlled and that will continue an active life, growing old in a gentle and slightly traumatic.

Should the elderly physical exercise?
The first message is to convey to older people is that they must stay active in their daily lives. Many people have a dynamic life without having to participate in formal exercise programs. Through the daily chores, such as domestic work (shopping, cooking, cleaning, etc..), Can maintain an adequate level of activity. It should enhance simple occupations such as gardening, DIY or daily walks. We must fight, as far as possible, against inactivity. Obviously, a healthy state of both body and spirit, it favors a peaceful aging.


Although physical capacity declines with age, the degree of reduction in physical activity also is related in many cases, lack of appetite or stimuli due to social constraints.
We must influence the generation of stimuli as a means of reducing premature physical deterioration. Physical activity also entail benefits for the individual also imposes on society by reducing costs in health and care provision.

What benefits involves physical exercise in the elderly?

  • Improves overall sense of well being.
  • Improves overall physical and psychological health.
  • Helps maintain independent lifestyles.
    Reduces the risk of developing certain diseases (cardiac abnormalities, hypertension, etc.)..
  • It helps to control diseases such as obesity, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia. Helps reduce the effects of certain disabilities and may facilitate the treatment of certain pathologies with pain.

However it is important to know that many of these benefits require a regular and continuous participation and may become rapidly reversible by return to inactivity.

What risks involves the exercise in the elderly?
In general, moderate exercise does not involve risks to the elderly. The problem usually arises in the understanding of what each one means for moderation. It is clear that the overestimation of their own capabilities, competitiveness or trying to maintain a physical tone similar to other past may involve serious risks which must be taken into account.
The risks of exercise in this period of life are located mainly in two areas:
Firstly there is a latent cardiovascular risk.
Secondly we must assess the presence of osteoporosis as the disease, characterized by decreased bone mass, causes the affected bones are more porous and fracture more easily than normal bone. If you have the small fragile musculoskeletal injuries can become major injuries.

Should make prior medical examination?
It is the first doctor who must assess through the person’s medical history and thorough physical examination, the ability to perform physical exercise. The effectiveness of these tests should be viewed in a proper cost / performance, it is impossible to perform all tests that could detect pathology. No protocol is entirely satisfactory. To bring, as the questioning and physical examination, various additional studies may be needed.
In general all the alterations that occur in the elderly as part of aging, sedentary lifestyle or as a result of chronic diseases, should be explored carefully before prescribing an exercise program.
Often, when evaluating the level of fitness, there are significant reductions in fitness compared to younger people, although the elderly who have made exercise all his life, may have a high capacity. There are numerous studies in older athletes, both men and women, which found marked physiological differences when compared with untrained people of the same age.
It is recommended that the frequency of medical examinations is at least twice a year and when it is defective.
Once the tolerance of the older person to suffer a physical overload, it must establish that ways are most appropriate effort.
Keep in mind that, in general, whenever there is any physical or sporting activity recommended, whatever the health status of a person, it is very important for the proper determination of the physical ability to correctly set the type and intensity of exercise to perform. If this is not possible or there are serious limitations, walking and swimming are always good choices.

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