Exercise and Aging, You're Never Too Old to Get Moving!

Ever heard about Juan Ponce de Leon and the fabled Fountain of Youth?  According to legend, the native people of Puerto Rico and Cuba told the early Spanish explorers that in the land to the north existed a fountain which had miraculous powers that would restore the youth of whoever drank its wondrous waters.  One of these early   explorers was Juan Ponce de Leon, who accompanied Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the new world in 1493.  Juan Ponce de Leon went on to become wealthy after becoming the governor of Puerto Rico, but more about the fountain of youth. 

At the young age of 53, Ponce de Leon equipped three ships at his own expense and set of to find this fabled Fountain of Youth.  Well, that and gold too.  Some historians think that Ponce de Leon discovered Florida in his search for youth and riches. But, what about the Fountain of Youth?  Next time you’re down in Florida you might want to keep your eyes open for a really old Spanish guy named Juan Ponce de Leon, and ask him how the search is going.

You will get old; it’s just the way life goes.  However, just because your body is aging doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to suffer through a drastic decline in your health and physical fitness.  Reviews of physical activity studies related to older adults have found that keeping physically active and engaging in regular exercise can indeed be a “Fountain of Youth.”  Some of the highlights are:

• Older adults that took part in moderate to intense aerobic exercise improved their cardiovascular fitness. Those that did not experienced a decline in cardiovascular fitness.

• Older adults that were physically active had better memories and faster reaction times.

• Older adults that took part in strength training exercise experienced an increase in up to 200% in muscle strength.

• When older adults used common sense and proper exercise techniques, the fear of injury through exercise subsided.

• Physical activity can reduce the risk of falling for older adults. This was due to increased leg and ankle strength, and improved balance.

• Exercise can reduce blood pressure in older adults that have high blood pressure.

• Moderate physical activity can help protect older adults against heart disease.  In fact, older adults who are active have the heart fitness of adults many years younger.

• Joint mobility and flexibility can be improved at any age.

Older adults who are choosing to live a sedentary lifestyle significantly increase their health risks and should be consulting their physicians!

The findings came from researchers at the University of Alberta, who reviewed various physical activity studies related to older adults

You’ve probably seen all the advertisements and infomercials for modern day fountains of youth.  All too often we’re exposed to companies claiming that this pill or that product can help bring back the energy and exuberance we had in our youth.  While medical science has certainly made some headway into discovering why our bodies age, the fact is that we all get older, and there is no miracle pill that will stop this from happening. 

So is there really a Fountain of Youth out there, waiting to be discovered?  Perhaps, but the real fountain of youth is within you.  The human body has an amazing ability to adapt to new situations, heal itself when sick or injured, and renew itself.  The same goes for getting back some of that energy and vigor you had in your younger years.  However, there is a small catch to it.  If you want to feel better, look better and perform better, you need to take care of your body.  A big part of that involves eating the right foods and getting enough physical activity.  So get moving and dip into your own Fountain of Youth

Research has proven that daily physical activity in older adults leads to improved functioning and abilities to do daily tasks.  So, if being active can have such a positive effect on the health of older adults, what about those who are young or middle aged?  Why not start moving now!  Imagine how great it will be when you reach those “golden years!”  So don’t let age become an excuse, you’re never too old or too young to get moving!!