Exercise for Older Adults (2024)

Also called: Seniors' fitness

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Summary

Exercise and physical activity are good for just about everyone, including older adults. There are four main types and each type is different. Doing them all will give you more benefits.:

Endurance, or aerobic, activities increase your breathing and heart rate. Brisk walking or jogging, dancing, swimming, and biking are examples.
Strength exercises make your muscles stronger. Lifting weights or using a resistance band can build strength.
Balance exercises help prevent falls
Flexibility exercises stretch your muscles and can help your body stay limber

If you have not been active, you can start slowly and work up to your goal. How much exercise you need depends on your age and health. Check with your health care provider on what is right for you.

Start Here

Exercise and Physical Activity (National Institute on Aging)
Exercise and Physical Activity for Healthy Aging: Get Fit for Life (National Institute on Aging) - PDF
How Older Adults Can Get Started with Exercise (National Institute on Aging)
Physical Activity for Older Adults: An Overview (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Real-Life Benefits of Exercise and Physical Activity (National Institute on Aging)
You're Never Too Old: Keep Active as You Age (National Institutes of Health) Also in Spanish

Treatments and Therapies

Qigong: What You Need To Know (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
Tai Chi: What You Need to Know (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)
Yoga: What You Need to Know (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health)