Slowing the Aging Clock Slowing the Aging Clock By Len Kravitz, PhD Reprinted with permission from IDEA, the International Association of Fitness Professionals. As you grow older, you may feel there is nothing you can do about the physiological changes that occur with aging. There is something you can do, and it needn't even cost anything. Mature adults who maintain high levels of cardiovascular endurance, strength and flexibility are less likely to need long-term care. Falls, which are the leading cause of fatal injuries in people over 75 years old, can be reduced dramatically through participation in exercise programs that improve balance and mobility.
Increased strength improves gait and bodily control and helps individuals function independently.
Exercise is often associated with more effective stress management, fewer sleep disorders, enlightened mental outlook, reduced loneliness and lowered depression and anxiety. Ready, Set. . . Before you being to exercise, consult with a qualified health practitioner, such as your physician. A pre-exercise assessment will help you determine the safest, most appropriate way to start your program. Don't worry if you're feeling nervous about beginning an exercise program.