Why Elderly Should Do Cardio? Everyone Must Know

By Your Health Magazine

Cardio is vital for the elderly. It makes the body strong and helps with mental health problems. It also improves mood, memory, and controls anxiety. As you get older, staying fit becomes more important. Aerobic cardio, like walking or cycling, is a good way to stay healthy.

It lowers the risk of serious illnesses like heart disease, stroke, diabetes, etc. In this article, we will discuss why the elderly should do cardio.

Let’s know for better understanding!

Boost Mental Health

Cardio is good for the mind. It helps the body make endorphins, which are “feel-good” hormones. These hormones reduce stress. These also make you feel happy and relaxed.

Many older people feel lonely, sick, or have disabilities. This can lead to mental health problems. But cardio protects the elderly from all these diseases. If you’re a senior Aussie, you also can get benefits from the Support at Home Program. The question is, what is Support at Home Program? It is a special program introduced by the government that helps seniors stay healthy.

According to studies, cardio reduces anxiety and depression. So, if you want to spend the rest of your life without stress, you should do cardio regularly.

Improved Cardiovascular Health

Many health experts and doctors suggest cardio. If you do it, you can prevent heart diseases. This is because cardio makes the heart stronger and pumps blood better. So, if you want to keep your health in good condition, there is no other option than doing cardio.

Better Sleep

As you get older, sleeping becomes more difficult. When you don’t get enough sleep. You feel stressed. But regular cardio improves your sleep pattern. As a result, deep sleep allows the body to rest and recover from the day.

Avoids Bone Loss

As people get older, their bones become weaker. But strength training slows down this process. It makes your bones strong in old age. Remember one thing, stronger bones mean fewer broken bones and better balance. Cardio also lowers the chance of falls and injuries, helping older adults stay independent for a longer time.

Women after menopause can lose up to 2% of bone strength each year. Strength training can help slow down this loss and even make bones stronger. Strong bones mean fewer broken bones and better balance.

Maintain Blood Pressure

Cardio controls high blood pressure by making it lower. If you don’t want to use medicine, you should do exercises. They keep blood vessels healthy. As a result, your body raises good cholesterol (HDL) and lowers “bad” cholesterol (LDL) in the blood. If you want to maintain blood pressure, you should try 40 minutes of moderate to intense aerobic cardio.

Reduce Osteoarthritis Pain

As per studies, movement reduces arthritis pain. Gentle cardio like walking and stretching are good for arthritis. These exercises make muscles strong around the joints. They also reduce swelling and keep joints moving smoothly.

Avoid Chronic Diseases

Cardio protects the body from many long-term diseases like heart disease, colon cancer, diabetes, obesity, and high blood pressure. If someone already has a health problem, regular cardio can reduce the symptoms.

Regulate Blood Sugar

Regular cardio controls insulin and lowers blood sugar. A study on people with type 2 diabetes showed that both aerobic and anaerobic cardio can help with these benefits. So, if anyone has a blood sugar problem, they need to do cardio as soon as possible.

Improves Immunity System

As you age, you’re more prone to diseases. But a strong immune system protects you from diseases. According to research, cardio reduces the chances of getting diseases. These exercises reduce swelling and inflammation in the body. This thing makes the immune system better.

Prevents Frequent Falls

As people get older, they may lose flexibility, strength, and balance. This thing can lead to falls. But cardio prevents falls as well as reduces injuries. If you don’t want to visit the hospital frequently, you must do cardio.

Manage a Good Weigh

If you want to control your weight, you need to do cardio. But it burns extra calories. Besides, cardio, you also focus on your diet. These two things can help in managing a good weight.

Better Sex Life

Erectile dysfunction is common in the elderly. As you know, there is no life without having a good sex. Remember one important thing, the role of blood flow is the most important in intimacy. So, cardio improves the blood flow. As a result, it increases the arousal in the elderly. Besides, it also fixes erectile dysfunction in men.

Wrapping Up

Cardio has many benefits for the whole body. Regular cardio can improve memory, sleep, heart health, mood, and even your sex life. You need to do at least 30 minutes of moderate cardio five times a week to stay healthy. It also prevents diseases, reduces the risk of falling, and improves mental health.