As people get older, their appearance and body change- along with it is the ability to exercise. Many older adults find that their heart rate starts to decline as they grow older, which means that the lungs and the heart can no longer pump as much blood and oxygen to the muscles. The muscle mass will also start to reduce, and ligaments and tendons will shorten and become stiffer. This means that the range of motion and flexibility will be decreased. At senior living communities like TerraBella Salisbury, we take extra care to ensure that our residents take part in physical activity that is suitable for them. Read on to find out more about what seniors should look out for when it comes to cardio exercise.
Be Mindful of Warning Signs and Know Limits
If you are someone who is trying out cardio exercise for the first time or have not been exercising for a long while, it is important that your healthcare provider deem you suitable for exercise before you begin. In cases where older adults take certain medications for heart disease or blood pressure, ensure that they understand the effects these medications can have on exercise, and avoid activities that are not suitable.
Follow an Exercise Plan
While it is easy to randomly pick a cardio exercise and engage in it, people often see much better results if they plan first. There are three key elements to cardio exercise- muscle endurance, heart and lung performance as well as functional capacity. If you are thinking about doing cardio exercise, you can consider incorporating short bursts of exercise that are higher in intensity. You can also try to do a longer period of exercise that is considered moderate-intensity exercise. After moving your body, it is important to cool down and stretch to relax the muscles.
Have Fun Exercising and Unleash Your Creativity
When people think of cardio exercise, they often think of mundane activities like swimming, walking, hiking, or jogging. Although these activities make for a good workout, the best workout plan that will keep you motivated throughout is to pick an exercise you like and stick to it. For those who cannot do activities that are too strenuous, they can consider other forms of exercise that are not as strenuous. There are also exercise programs that are water-based that older adults can consider.
Even as people age, it is important for them to remain active and engage in different kinds of exercises. Here at Tellaberra Salisbury, we have physical exercises for residents to take part in to keep physically and mentally healthy. Our team of professionals works hard to ensure that all our residents are catered for and that residents remain in the pink of health during their stay with us. Cardio exercise can help to train the lungs and the heart, which is why it is such an effective exercise. In our exercise programs, we mix cardio exercises with a range of other exercises to keep residents active. Feel free to contact us to find out more about the different living options we have to offer!
