Exercise and the older person.

The enormous pleasure that older people derive from an exercise class to music or from an aquarobics group makes instant converts of any professionals involved in these health promotion activities. Irrefutable evidence now exists to show that regular physical activity slows the rate of decline of most of the physiological parameters that we associate with health and fitness--muscle strength, aerobic capacity, reaction time and joint flexibility. Master athletes at age 60 can perform considerably better than some sedentary men at age 30. The ideal is clearly to maintain a regular regimen of physical activity throughout adult life. It has now been shown that such exercise does not need to be heavy to maintain cardiovascular and musculoskeletal fitness. Walking and swimming are as good and much safer than jogging provided the regimen entails at least 30 minutes three to four times a week. The evidence is equally strong that sedentary older people can benefit from taking up an exercise program in later life. Significant gains in muscle strength and aerobic capacity can result from gentle exercise programs carried out at least three times a week. Improvements in balance, bone density and psychological health have yet to be confirmed. Exercise and fitness programs for older adults can attract large numbers and achieve high compliance rates if the programs are accessible, affordable and, above all, fun. Men tend to be more interested in monitoring fitness levels while women are satisfied to enjoy themselves and feel better. Older adults can also continue or take up competitive sports provided simple precautions are taken to ensure cardiovascular health and to minimise injury.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)