Getting older and staying fit and healthy simultaneously -
that's what we want for myself and our family. The solution is quite simple:
exercise and gets enough exercise!
You already know that healthy eating isn't everything. If you want to be healthy and active in old age, you have to get enough exercise and do sports. So exercise in old age is right for your health - but how do you convince your grandparents of this? We explain how your grandparents get older healthily and which sports are best suited to it.
"Walking is man's best medicine" - these were Hippocrates' wise words in the year 400 BC. However, this principle, both real and essential, has been more and more forgotten over time. We accepted and got used to the idea that old age goes hand in hand with ailments and illness and that from 65 onwards, one can endure life rather than enjoy it. That does not have to be that way. Fit in old age, how does it work?
The older our grandparents get, the higher the risk they will suffer from chronic complaints. Eating a healthy diet is not enough to prevent this from happening. If you want your grandparents to be fit and symptom-free into old age, you have to get them to go for a quick walk, play tennis or ride a bike.
Studies with people over 65 show that exercise strengthens bones and joints in old age, increases brain function, maintains muscle mass, and makes everyday activities easier. According to the UK Department of Health and Welfare, only 17% of men and 13% of women are active. The World Health Organization formulates the whole thing even more drastically: 3.2 million deaths annually are due to a lack of exercise.
However, something can quickly be done about these shocking numbers. Just 150 minutes of moderate-intensity (or 75 minutes of intense) aerobic activity per week will keep you healthy and fit in old age and reduce the likelihood of early death. But what exactly counts as a moderate aerobic activity? Fit in old age, and this is how it works:
The best activities to keep your grandparents healthy and active
Walk
Let's come back to Hippocrates: Walking is healthy. Long
walks and hikes are ideal activities for the whole family. Not only do you
spend time together, but you also do something for your health and that of your
loved ones at the same time. Daily walking increases the metabolism, reduces
belly fat, and reduces the risk of developing chronic diseases such as
diabetes. But that's not all: if you spend a lot of time outdoors, you take in
more vitamin D and are generally in a better mood.
yoga
There are yoga
classes for all levels and ages. Yoga is the ideal sport for the elderly: many
of the positions improve balance and stability - both skills often decline with
age and lead to falls and injuries. This joint-friendly activity improves
mobility and breathing and lowers blood pressure. A recent study shows that a
12-week yoga program significantly improves respiratory function in older
women. It is getting more senior in balance - in the most real sense of the
word.
swim
The primary benefit of swimming is that it is easy on the
joints - and this is especially important in older people. If your grandparents
have pain or discomfort in their joints, swimming is just the right activity
for them. Swimming trains the entire body without putting too much strain on
the knees, hips, or spine. It's also good for the heart: regular swimmers make
the seat more significant and more substantial and lower blood pressure. However,
the list goes on: swimming is good for mental health and general psychological
well-being (high mood, reduced stress, increased brain function). That alone is
reason enough to go swimming regularly.
Group courses
Group courses are particularly suitable for staying healthy
and active in old age. Group courses have the advantage of improving physical
fitness and promoting social contact with others. Many older people are alone
and do not interact with others very much. However, social connections are essential
for both mental and physical health. From gentle water aerobics to groovy dance
courses - we have the right group course for every taste and age - why not take
a time with your grandmother?