Senior endurance sports keeps you young and healthy

Endurance sport can look like a fountain of youth from the age of 50

22/11/2013

Endurance sports are ideal for the fitness of seniors. This is what Professor Hans-Georg C, Head of the Department of Preventive and Rehabilitative Sports and Performance Medicine at the German Sport University Cologne, told the news agency „dpa“ out. Accordingly, endurance sports in seniors not only have a positive effect on the cardiovascular system, also in diseases of the lungs, tumors and chronic inflammatory and psychiatric diseases shows age-adapted movement effect.

Endurance sports against removal of efficiency in old age
From about the age of 50, the regeneration processes in the body are slower and the performance decreases. Anyone who wants to do something about it should regularly practice endurance sports such as cycling, hiking or cross-country skiing, as Professor Predel explains. Endurance sports are therefore like an anti-aging program. „In the history of development, the human being is 40 or 50 years old, "says the expert. „In order to live up to the age range between 60 and 90 years of age, healthy and without illnesses, we need the stress of a diverse physical activity. "Because endurance sports not only prevent diseases, he also has a positive effect People with chronic inflammatory or psychiatric conditions also benefit from regular, appropriate exercise, according to Predel.

Nordic Walking is more suitable for seniors than jogging
Suitable sports for seniors include cycling, Nordic walking, (mountain) hiking, swimming and cross-country skiing. Through regular exercise, the body breaks down fat and builds muscle. At the same time, the weakening of the body is counteracted. However, it is important to have appropriate training for the physical condition. For example, jogging in professional circles is considered controversial due to the high stress on joints for seniors.

In addition to endurance sports, exercise systems such as Tai Chi can have a positive effect on health and performance. For example, in a US study, Parkinson's patients practicing Tai Chi on a regular basis both significantly improved their sense of balance and reduced the incidence of falls. This should also benefit healthy seniors. (Ag)