Physical inactivity is a problem for everyone, but it becomes particularly evident in older adults. Physiological changes occur with aging. When aging is accompanied by physical inactivity, adults are more likely to be affected by illness, loss of function, and loss of independence. In addition, many of the physical declines attributed to aging are, in large part, related to lack of physical activity. Lack of regular physical activity contributes to the development of osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is one of the main causes of fractured bones in older adults.
Currently, a woman's risk of fracturing a hip is equal to her combined risk of developing breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer. Injury rate increases as flexibility decreases. Although flexibility decreases naturally with age, significantly more flexibility is lost by disuse and inactivity. Sedentary adults are about two times as likely to develop coronary heart disease as active adults. An active childhood, without continued activity into adulthood, will not protect adults from heart disease.