Exercise could have a lot more benefits for health and fitness for people over the the age of 50, than weight loss and looking fit alone. People above the age of 50 are more susceptible to certain diseases and will need to take extra care to protect their health. You can read on to see 5 benefits exercise can have for people over 50.
Exercises work as an antidepressant
Antidepressant medications have been a godsend for many people, but from studies, it was discovered that depression sufferers who did aerobic exercise (i.e Walking, running, jogging, swimming etc) showed just as much improvement in their symptoms as people on medication. In fact, after four months, 60 to 70 percent of the subjects couldn’t even be classified as having depression. Even better, a follow-up to the study found that the effects from the exercise lasted longer than those from the medication.
It strengthens your heart
It may feel like your heart is thumping itself out of your chest during those hill sprints, but your ticker will thank you later. Exercise strengthens your heart muscle as well as reduces your risk of heart disease and other related conditions. So the next time you’re sweating from your exercises, just remember that your’re helping your heart get stronger and by doing this you’re reducing the risk of heart disease and other heart conditions which are particularly common in people over 50.
It significantly lowers your stroke risk
Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the world today. Up to 80 percent of strokes are preventable, because for the most part, strokes are the result of unhealthy lifestyle choices. The risk of stroke increases with age, with most occurring after age 55. However, younger people are increasingly at risk, according to the latest statistics. The rate of strokes among younger people (under age 55) nearly doubled between 1993 and 2005.The primary driving forces behind this are increasing rates of obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure which can all increase your risk of suffering a devastating stroke.
Recent research found that if you’re inactive, you’re at a 20 percent higher risk for having a stroke or mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack) than people who exercise enough to break a sweat at least four times a week. The connection between vigorous exercise and stroke risk was very clear in men but less clear in women; so it’s recommended that women take up less intensive exercises such as walking, swimming and light jogging.
Helps to prevent and reverse diabetes
The amazing thing about exercise is that it exerts its effects very quickly. Aside from the well known long term effects of exercise, which include the amelioration of chronic diseases, you’ll also get acute, nearly instantaneous benefits as well. New research has found that one single session of moderate exercise can improve the way your body regulates glucose. However, it is also true that not keeping up to your exercise program will disrupt your body’s ability to regulate blood sugar, and this happens within days. The simple fact is that your body is meant to engage in regular physical activity. Try to embrace this reality and you’re asking for a slew of health troubles.
Reduced risk of insomnia
Getting a good night’s sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Snoozing helps your body recover and repair tissues, renews your energy, and clears out your mind. But sometimes sleep does not come easily, oftentimes on the nights you need it the most. In a meta-analysis that looked at dozens of sleep studies, researchers found that people who exercised regularly had less incidence of insomnia and a higher quality of sleep. In addition, for people who did suffer from insomnia, adding consistent daily exercise significantly reduced their sleepless nights.
Conclusion
The benefits of exercise are almost limitless and you should be sure to take up regular exercise as much as possible, particularly as you get older.
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