Whether you are a professional athlete in mint physical condition, or an average desk jockey who’s fitting exercise in where you can, you know that your body changes as you age. One of the topics that our Toronto physiotherapists, chiropractors, and other sports medicine specialists find themselves counseling their clients on is the subject of aging and exercise.
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There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about exercising and the role it plays in health and well-being as humans age. Let’s look at the most important truths, and clear up some of the persistent myths.
The truth: Let’s look at the reality first. What are you facing?
Your body does become less resilient, and will both sustain injuries more easily, and take longer to heal from them.
- At the cellular level, your bodily systems become less efficient over time.
- Old injuries may come back to haunt you.
- You will actually lose muscle tissue over time at an accelerated rate.
The good news: In some ways, age works for you.
- After age 30, your muscle memory and maturity actually improve.
- That means you can train for less time and at a lower level of intensity, and still see results.
Myth vs. Fact
Here are a few common misconceptions, and the facts that refute them.
Myth: Since my body is deteriorating anyway with age, it’s pointless to try and fight it.
- That’s incorrect! Exercise will increase the quality of life at any level, and will help you in many ways.
- Strengthening your muscles through resistance training can slow down, and in some cases, even reverse the damage.
- Strengthening muscles also means working to correct imbalances that may have crept into the body over time, and core muscles that help balance and prevent injures.
- A consultation with one of our Toronto chiropractors or sports medicine specialists can help you identify any areas that you should specifically address.
Myth: It’s not safe for me to exercise. What if I fall and break my hip?
- It’s actually much safer for you to exercise than not.
- Exercising will help you avoid falls and improve your balance.
Myth: I have a chronic illness, so I can’t exercise.
- In most cases, patients living with chronic issues like arthritis and even heart disease will benefit from some physical exercise.
- A customized exercise regimen can be adapted to your specific needs.
Myth: I’ve never exercised, and it’s just too late – I might have a heart attack!
- In reality, you are more likely to be putting yourself at risk by spending your days and nights on the couch than by exercising.
- It’s literally never too late to get the benefit of exercise.
If you have questions about exercise and any other topics about your musculo-skeletal health, our Toronto physiotherapists, chiropractors, and other sports medicine specialists are ready with answers. Drop by one of our Toronto clinics today, or call to make an appointment.
Sources:
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercise-as-you-get-older/
https://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/features/exercise-older-adults#1
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