The elderly age group is usually defined as people starting at the age of 65. The definition varies by study, but this is a typical cut-off point.
There are also many different types of fitness to measure, such as muscle strength and endurance, cardiovascular ( heart ) fitness, flexibility, balance, reaction time, aerobic capacity, body composition (i.e., amount of lean body mass relative to total body weight), and functional capacity.
Some studies have focused on one type or another, whereas others have examined multiple components simultaneously.
Two Types of Aging
Physical activity patterns vary greatly among older adults because older adults engage in much less regular physical activity than younger individuals due to diminished work opportunities and physical demands related to aging. Age alone does not result in the loss of all physical abilities; however, age-related changes do occur and can be classified as:
1) primary aging – a “normal” consequence of the passage of time and includes progressive declines in physical function that occur with increasing chronological age (i.e., biological aging).
2) secondary aging, i.e., disability due to an underlying disease process such as osteoarthritis or cardiovascular disease. Primary aging is considered inevitable; therefore, it does not require medical intervention.
Only 30% of Older Adults Perform Regular Exercise
It has been estimated that only 30% or less of older adults engage regularly in regular physical activity, like brisk walking 3-5 days per week on average, for 20-60 minutes at a time. Participation in some form of regular physical activity appears important for health benefits and appears to reduce the risk and severity of coronary heart disease (CHD), hypertension, osteoporosis, obesity, and diabetes.
The benefits of physical activity in older adults are far-reaching and include improvements in muscle strength and power; increased aerobic capacity; improved balance; increased bone density; enhanced psychological well-being; reduced depression; decreased disability (i.e., due to age-related diseases); slowed rate of falls; improved immune function; improved sleep quality; and increased functional capacity (i.e., ability to do daily activities).
Although some degree of muscle loss occurs naturally with increasing age, this loss can be reduced by regular physical activity, especially resistance training.
Many studies have demonstrated that regular physical activity enhances the functional ability of older adults by improving cardiovascular endurance, muscular fitness, flexibility, and body composition. Older individuals who participate regularly in physical activity also report better general health status than those without such participation.
Case in Point – Sue Prince
At Sue Prince’s age, many people are slowing down and taking things a bit easier. But that’s not the case for Prince. The 82-year-old from Polk County, Florida, is a regular at the gym and is in great shape for her age.
Prince goes to the gym seven days a week, rain or shine. At 82 years old, she says she is in the best shape she’s ever been in. She boasts the physical fitness of a 67-year-old, according to a body scan.
Following a hip replacement in 2017, Prince fell in love with working out for the first time. The doctor assured her that as long as she stayed healthy and active, she would be able to walk, move, and do anything she wanted.
Anytime Fitness nominated her for the Silver Sneakers Member of the Year award for her dedication to making health a priority and pushing others to do the same, and she ranked top 10 in the country. Silver Sneakers is a national program for gym-goers aged 65 and over.
The great-grandmother believes that being acknowledged for her physical health proves that age is nothing more than a number.
