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COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND SERVICES
COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND SERVICES
Senior Fitness Isn’t Your Grandmother’s Physical and Mental Benefits Lead Fitness Program! to Happier Health
How do Seniors typically get fit? Roll their wheelchairs…swing their canes…walk their pet pooch very slowly? Absolutely not! Today’s Senior fitness programs have evolved and are designed to be active - and safe, an opportunity to socialize and a lot of fun (yes, fun!) Research from Senior health organizations has proven conclusively that exercise benefits mind and body. Here’s a quick primer on its affects: active movement increases heart rate and more blood flows to the brain; breathing quickens and more oxygen enters blood stream and brain, improving “brain fog”; neurogenesis produces more neurons and affects the hippocampus, which controls learning and memory; and neurotrophins are activated leading to greater brain plasticity and better memory. And, if that isn’t reason enough, exercise also modulates the secretion of major neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, which are linked with treating depression. Mood, sleep, stress and anxiety can also be improved. Diseases such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, ADHD, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease
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and stroke may be improved. Group sports/workouts also combat the social isolation many Seniors face.
Here’s some examples of exercise programs: n
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hair Programs. Seniors who are C new to exercise should work slowly into a program. Almost all Senior programs use a chair, and it’s a good place to start. The chair provides balance and allows a more self-paced workout. But make no mistake, movement around the chair can really get the heart pumping. Cardio. Gets the body moving and designed to increase flexibility, joint stability, balance, coordination, muscular strength and endurance. Tai Chi, Yoga, Pilates. Low impact and promotes mental, spiritual and physical discipline using poses, breathing and a focused mind. Pickleball. The fastest growing sport among Seniors. A combination of table tennis and badmin-
