Fitness Training After 40: Is It Worth The Effort?

By Joe Mullen

Recently, a person asked us why so many people over 40 years of age feel that exercise is a waste of time. In addition, they asked why they feel that they are beyond help. She asked valid questions.

However, there is no one answer to those questions. A general answer is that most of the people in the 40-65 age groups have been victims of health and fitness misinformation for most of their lives.

This is stated in a survey taken by the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, which reported that "older" persons have formed many negative attitudes; that are not correct. The report showed that:

Older persons believe their need for exercise diminishes and eventually disappears; as they grow older that, they vastly exaggerate the risks involved in vigorous exercise after middle age.

Older persons over-rate the benefits of light, sporadic exercise; and they under-rate their own abilities and capacities. Recent information gathered indicated that 60 percent of those over 45 reported that they attempted NO regular exercise.

This may explain why so many senior citizens over 65 years of age see a doctor more often than any other age group. Recent evidence indicates that, in addition to the general benefits of regular exercise, several major health problems are prevented or managed in part by an exercise program.

Coronary Heart Disease is the major cause of disability and death in the U.S. About one million people suffer heart attacks each year; 20 percent of these are immediately fatal.

Exercising on a regular basis can greatly reduce your chance of succumbing to this deadly disease.

Hypertension or high blood pressure begins early in life and progresses with age. One of every six persons has hypertension, which is also a prime risk factor for coronary heart disease.

Exercise is generally considered effective in reducing hypertension. Arthritis is one of the major cripplers among Americans. There are over 100 kinds of arthritis and at least 31 million Americans suffer from one or more of them.

Exercise is a cornerstone of arthritis therapy. It does not cure arthritis but it does allow for the control of symptoms.

Osteoporosis is believed to cause over 200,000 hip fractures annually, primarily to older women and is a major cause of physical disability.

Pain and shortened height, often accompanied by the so-called "dowager's hump" are major symptoms of advanced osteoporosis. Exercise can play an important role in relieving the anxiety and mild depression connected with osteoporosis.

If you need more reasons to get off your duff, consider the following changes associated with aging are altered with exercise.

• Reduced muscle strength and endurance, loss of lean body mass and an increase in body fat, poor posture; reduced coordination and agility, reduced
• Joint mobility and flexibility, loss of bone mass and reduced reaction time and decreased thinking ability.
• Recent studies indicate that older people who exercise can experience quicker reaction time in processing information. Research indicates that the thinking ability of an older, fit person is GREATER than a 25-year-old person who is not fit.

Every study indicates that life long exercise or exercise begun later in life could enhance all major components of fitness. There is hope for everyone and no one is beyond help.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of exercise is the sense of independence and self-esteem it provides. It can give you the courage to try many things thought impossible without exercise.

The truth is that we need not become victims of aging. It is possible to remain fit, trim and disease free well into later years.

All it takes is commitment.