January 12, 2009

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The American Heart Association states the following:

Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for developing coronary artery disease and stroke. It also contributes to other risk factors, including obesity, high blood pressure, a low level of HDL (”good”) cholesterol and diabetes. Even modest levels of physical activity are beneficial.

The AHA says that older adults and those with disabilities can gain significant health benefits with a moderate amount of physical activity, preferably daily. Physical activity doesn’t need to be strenuous to bring health benefits. What’s important is to include physical activity as part of a regular routine.

For older adults, this moderate amount of activity can come from

  • longer sessions of moderately intense activities such as walking or swimming
  • shorter sessions of more vigorous activities such as fast walking, moon-rocking or stair-climbing

Greater amounts of physical activity can bring more benefits. But it shouldn’t be done excessively, or your risk of injury will increase.

People with disabilities are less likely to engage in regular moderate physical activity. Still, they can benefit from 

  • moderately intense activities (such as 30–40 minutes of using a manual wheelchair)
  • shorter sessions of more intense activity (such as 20 minutes of wheelchair basketball)

One Response to “Exercise for the Elderly and Disabled”

  1. Exercise for the Elderly and Disabled | Electric Mobility Scooters | AGED AID Says:

    […] Another decent blogger added an interesting post on Exercise for the Elderly and Disabled | Electric Mobility ScootersHere’s a small excerptThe American Heart Association states the following: Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for developing coronary artery disease and stroke. It. […]

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