It is no secret that aerobic exercise can considerably improve your health and help you live a better life. Although we’ve all heard this, many people don’t know the actual reasons why aerobic exercise is so important and how it can benefit the body as we age. First, it’s necessary to understand what aerobic exercise is. Aerobic exercise can be any activity that gets your blood pumping and large muscle groups working. It’s also known as cardiovascular activity and can range from walking to playing a full game of soccer. Whether you’re playing high-intensity sports or simply walking around the neighborhood for 30 minutes a day, aerobic exercise is essential to your health as you age.
How The Body Responds To Aerobic Exercise
During aerobic exercise, you repeatedly move large muscle groups in your arms, legs, and hips. Additionally, you’ll begin to breathe harder and faster. This maximizes the amount of oxygen in your blood and increases blood flow to your muscles and back to your lungs. During aerobic exercise, your body will even release endorphins which are natural painkillers that promote an increased feeling of well-being.
Benefits Of Aerobic Exercise
Helps With Sleep
As we age, many people have a harder time falling asleep at night. Cardiovascular exercise is highly recommended to help those who have sleeping problems to aid in their sleeping cycle. A regular exercise routine combined with sleep hygiene education is a great, natural treatment for insomnia and other related cases. Daily aerobic exercise is also closely linked to a better overall mood as well as improvements in daytime energy and vitality.
Reduces Risk Of Falls
Every year, millions of people suffer serious falls—especially those over the age of 65. Serious falls can lead to broken bones and potentially create lifelong injuries. Exercise may help reduce your risk of falling by promoting better balance and agility. An excellent exercise for improving your balance is aerobic dance. These dance exercises include plenty of squatting motions, leg balance, and other basic motor tasks. These exercises can greatly benefit older adults and senior citizens who may be concerned about their balance or coordination.
Regulates Weight
One inevitable effect of aging is weight gain. Our metabolism slows down as we get older and in order to combat this change we must make sure that aerobic exercise is a part of our lives. If you don’t have access to a treadmill, going out for brisk walks or jogs is a perfect way of burning calories. Even burning just 200 calories on a daily basis can vastly improve your weight—as long as you stay consistent with your diet.
Physical Therapy Treatment
Aerobic exercise is a great way to keep the body in shape and counteract many of the effects of aging. However, not everyone is able to engage in aerobic exercises due to previous injuries or ailments. That’s why at BioCure, we offer physical therapy treatment for joint pain relief and to restore your body’s natural movement.
