Biography Question About Us Contact Home
 

Senior Fast Facts 

                                                               100m Dash Winners 90-95yo men

                                                                         2005 Senior Olympics

  • Seniors are leading the way in physical fitness!   

According to the Superstudy of Sports Participation, more than 25% of the 41.3 million health club members are over the age of 55!  In fact, the rate of exercise participation among people over 55 grew at 3 times the rate of those between the ages of 34-54. 

It is not surprising then that more than 20% of the 2004 New York City Marathon were over 50.   In June, more than 10,000 athletes over 50 competed in the 2005 National Senior Games, the Senior Olympics. 

  • Exercise is the most simple and profound investment seniors can make in their future.

Age alone is not a reason to stop exercising!  Active aging is a key element in preventing the loss of independence frequently experienced by sedentary seniors.  While fully 1/3 of seniors are obese and 70% do not do 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day, the good news is that more than 35 illnesses can be positively impacted by exercise and many of the 250,000 deaths per year, attributed to a sedentary lifestyle, may be avoided. 

  • Age 55+ Sports Injury Statistics

From 1990 - 1996, the CPSC recorded an increase of 54% in sports injury rates among people 65+ years of age and also deduced that these 65+ people may continue sports and fitness participation well into their 70's, 80's and perhaps even 90's.

  • Exercise can help Osteoarthritis

Exercise is an effective way to manage osteoarthritis in the lower extremities.  10 recommendations were made by the MOVE consensus for maintaining exercise in this group:

  • Strength training and aerobic exercise can reduce pain and improve function and health status in people with hip and knee OA
  • Exercise prescription should be individualized in people with OA
  • You don’t have to join a gym!   Group and home exercise are equally effective.
  • Adherence is the principal predictor of long term benefit…so…just do it.
  • The effectiveness of exercise is independent of the presence or severity of X-ray findings
  • Muscle strength and proprioception gained from exercise may reduce the progression of hip and knee OA

  • What level is your fitness?

 

Definition

Fitness Goal

Fitness Training

Physically ELITE     

Trains daily and comspete in Senior sport or works in a physically demanding job

Fitness maintenance and improvement: muscle strength, endurance, flexibility, CV endurance

Sport/activity specific performance enhancement

Physically FIT

Exercises for health 2-3 times per week. High health and fitness reserves

Fitness maintenance: muscle strength, endurance, flexibility, ROM, balance, coordination, CV fitness

Current, health information and fitness opportunities.  Diet information

Physically INDEPENDENT

Live independently without major health problems.  Low health and fitness reserves- risk for loosing independence

Maintain independence:  muscle strength, endurance, flexibility, ROM. 

MOVE TO PHYSICALLY FIT LEVEL!

Prevention of functional loss and motivation to increase their health and fitness reserves.

Physically FRAIL

Performs BADL’s but can’t live independently.  Major chronic disease or disability

Maintain or improve BADL and IADL.  Muscle strength and endurance, ROM, mobility, coordination

Focus on balance, gait and posture

Physically DEPENDENT

Can not perform some or all BADL’s.  Dependent on others for basic living

Improved BADL, strength, ROM, balance, coordination, hand strength