Fitness as we age, why is it so important?

As one grows, it is important to live an active lifestyle. An active lifestyle through fitness and other exercise routines is often associated with longevity. Recent research in Sweden shows that physical activity is the number one contributor to your longevity, and it also adds extra years to your life. This addition even happens when you don’t start exercising until your senior years. Did we just give you a hack for a long life? You can say yes. Exercising and keeping fit are not only going to add years to your life, they are going to add life to your years

Getting some level of physical activity going can help boost your energy, maintain your independence, protect your heart, and manage symptoms of illness or pain as well as your weight. Regular exercise is also good for your mind, mood, and memory. Physical fitness levels can greatly increase and improve the quality of one’s life and help remain vibrant and very active.

As we age, many different changes happen to our bodies. Some of the changes of aging start as early as the third decade of life. After age 25 – 30, for example, the average man’s maximum attainable heart rate declines by about one beat per minute, per year, and his heart’s peak capacity to pump blood drifts down by 5%–10% per decade. That’s why a healthy 25 year old heart can pump 2½ quarts of blood a minute, but a 65 year old heart can’t get above 1½ quarts, and an 80 year old heart can pump only about a quart, even if it’s disease-free.

An active lifestyle becomes way more imperative as we grow older and its many benefits to our overall health and well being cannot be overemphasized. Below are some of the health benefits associated with physical activity

Weight loss or maintenance: Naturally, as one grows older, your metabolism slows down and this can have its effects on your weight and this can pose a challenge to maintaining your weight. Regular exercise helps increase your metabolism and build muscle mass, helping your body to burn more calories.
Reduce illness or impact of diseases: An improved immune system and better digestion are well associated with exercising. Adults who engage in physical activities are also known to have better blood pressure and bone density, and also have a lower risk of Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, osteoporosis, and certain cancers.
Improved sleep: As you grow older, the importance of sleep cannot be overlooked as the quality of your sleep influences the quality of your life. Regular activity can help you fall asleep faster, sleep more deeply, and wake feeling more energetic and refreshed.
Improved brain function: Exercising can aid brain functions as diverse as multitasking and creativity, and help to prevent memory loss, cognitive decline, and dementia. Getting active may even help slow the progression of brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease
Improved self confidence and overall mood: Regular exercise can be a huge stress reliever and the endorphins produced can help to reduce feelings of sadness, depression, and anxiety. Being active and feeling strong can also help you feel more self-confident.

Getting regular exercise done can be challenging and it doesn’t get any easier as you grow older. Taking active steps towards building a quality lifestyle is however important for one to maintain optimal living. Reaping the rewards of a good exercise lifestyle doesn’t have to follow strenuous days in the gym or long distance running. A good exercise routine can be more movement and activity for your body even in small ways. No matter your age or physical condition, it’s never too late to get your body moving, boost your health and outlook, and improve how well you age.