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Adaptive Fitness: Tailoring Exercise for Seniors’ Needs
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults 65 and older get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week.
However, for seniors with limited mobility or painful chronic conditions, this is easier said than done. Cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, osteoporosis, and other health issues can limit older adults’ physical activities.
How Adaptive Fitness Helps Seniors
Fortunately, fitness programs can be customized to meet specific needs, concerns, limitations, and goals of seniors. This approach, known as adaptive fitness (or adaptive exercise), personalizes exercise routines to accommodate an individual’s temporary or permanent disabilities. By doing so, it ensures that everyone can experience the benefits of exercise, including:
- Enhanced sleep quality
- Stronger immune systems
- Improved brain power
- Elevated mood
- Increased energy levels
- Alleviated joint discomfort and pain
Every person is different. As such, one-size-fits-all senior exercise programs will not benefit most participants. It’s crucial to take a customized approach and adapt exercise programs to an older adult’s individualized needs.
Some factors to consider when tailoring workouts include muscle mass, mobility, joint flexibility, and endurance.
Creating a Safe Space
It’s critical to create and maintain a safe space for older adults to exercise. The area should be brightly lit and free of tripping hazards. If weights, jump ropes, or other equipment are used, they should be cleaned up and put away promptly after use.
Physical instructors should always be on hand to supervise workouts. A senior doing exercises incorrectly may increase their risk of strained muscles or joint pain. Fitness instructors should offer personalized guidance to ensure seniors enjoy safe, effective workouts. They should also double-check to see if older adults have obtained medical clearance from qualified healthcare professionals before allowing them to exercise.
4 Key Components of Senior Exercise Programs
Senior fitness programs should focus on four essential components, including:
- Balance: Improves stability and coordination, reducing the risk of falls
- Flexibility: Promotes range of motion and joint health
- Strength: Supports muscle mass and bone health
- Cardiovascular (Aerobic) Training: Helps to boost energy levels and maintain heart health
Incorporating exercises into senior fitness programs that support all four components is important. Seniors should practice safe stretching exercises, cardio workouts, low-impact strength-building exercises, and easy balancing exercises.
Senior Fitness Programs in Santa Clarita, CA
Looking for senior fitness programs in your neighborhood? Here are four places worth checking out:
- City of Santa Clarita’s 3,000-square-foot community fitness center
- SCV Senior Center
- Canyon Country Community Center
- Henry Mayo Fitness and Health Center | Gym in Valencia, CA
Personalized In-Home Caregiving Solutions
Visiting Angels of Santa Clarita, CA, provides care services tailored to your unique needs and preferences. Our in-home caregivers can assist you with meal planning and preparation, medication management, personal grooming, light housekeeping, incidental transportation and more.
Contact us today at (661) 263-2273 for more information. We look forward to speaking to you!