Although exercise and physical activity are among the healthiest things you can do for yourself, some older adults are reluctant to exercise. Some are afraid that exercise will be too hard or that physical activity will harm them. Others might think they have to join a gym or have special equipment.
Yet, studies show that “taking it easy” is risky. For the most part, when older people lose their ability to do things on their own, it’s not just because they’ve aged. It’s usually because they’re not active.
According to the U.S. Surgeon General’s Report on Physical Activity and Health, inactive people are nearly twice as likely to develop heart disease as those who are more active. Lack of physical activity also can lead to more visits to the doctor, more hospitalizations and more use of medicines for a variety of illnesses.
Talk with your doctor about what physical activities you can do to become more active. It may be as simple as taking a daily walk.
— Source: National Institutes of Health