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.

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