Physical activity plays a vital role in extending lifespans and improving the quality of life for older adults, according to a review published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.
The article highlights the growing body of evidence that supports exercise as a powerful tool for preventing and managing chronic diseases, improving mental and physical health, and promoting independence in older adults.
Aging Population and Health Challenges
As Canada’s population ages, with one in five people projected to be 65 or older in 2025 and the number of individuals over 85 expected to triple in 20 years, concerns about maintaining health and independence in older adults are increasing.
Unfortunately, more than 80% of adults fail to meet the physical activity recommendations outlined in the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines.
Aging often comes with chronic conditions and reduced mobility, but these challenges should not be viewed as barriers to exercise. Instead, they are key reasons to prioritize physical activity, which can add not only years to life but also quality to those years.
The Benefits of Physical Activity
The benefits of regular physical activity for older adults are far-reaching. A 2023 meta-analysis of large studies revealed that 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly reduces the risk of death from all causes by 31%.
Physical activity helps prevent or reduce the effects of over 30 chronic conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, depression, dementia, and cancer.
Key benefits include:
- Reduced Risk of Death: Engaging in regular physical activity lowers the overall risk of dying from any cause.
- Falls Prevention: Exercise strengthens muscles and improves balance, reducing the likelihood of falls, a leading cause of injury in older adults.
- Bone and Joint Health: It enhances bone density and helps manage symptoms of osteoarthritis.
- Improved Cognitive and Mental Health: Physical activity boosts cognitive function, mood, and overall mental well-being.
- Enhanced Quality of Life: Staying active helps older adults maintain their ability to perform daily activities, promoting independence.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 150–300 minutes of moderate-to-intense physical activity weekly for adults, including resistance training for muscle strengthening.
Tailoring Physical Activity for Older Adults
For older adults, physical activity should be customized to their health conditions, mobility, and individual capabilities. Dr. Samir Sinha, professor of medicine at the University of Toronto, emphasizes a gradual approach that includes resistance training as an essential component. Even older adults who are frail or at risk of falls can safely benefit from a tailored exercise program.
The WHO’s “5As” framework offers clinicians a structured approach to encourage physical activity in their patients:
- Ask about the patient’s activity levels.
- Advise on the importance of physical activity.
- Assess readiness to engage in exercise.
- Assist in creating a personalized activity plan.
- Arrange follow-ups to monitor progress and adapt the plan as needed.
Additionally, tracking physical activity in patient records as a “vital sign” can help clinicians monitor and encourage consistent exercise.
A Call to Action
Despite its significant benefits, physical activity remains underutilized as a health intervention in both community and healthcare settings for older adults. Dr. Jane Thornton, the study’s lead author, notes that age, frailty, or functional impairments should not discourage exercise but instead motivate its prescription.
Physical activity offers the potential to not only extend lifespans but also enhance the quality of life during those additional years.
In conclusion, promoting physical activity among older adults is a critical step in addressing the challenges of an aging population. By incorporating exercise into healthcare practices and tailoring interventions to individual needs, older adults can achieve healthier, more independent lives.
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The research findings can be found in Canadian Medical Association Journal.
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