Articles
The Journal on Active Aging brings articles of value to professionals dedicated to older-adult quality of life. Content sweeps across the active-aging landscape to focus on education and practice. Find articles of interest by searching the article archives in three ways: Enter a keyword in the articles search bar; click on search by topic; or type a keyword or phrase in the general search bar at the top of the page.
Topic- Exercise
Exercise for overweight older adults: an easy approach to reducing joint stress by Amy Ashmore, PhD
All people over 40 years of age show some signs of degenerative joint disease.1 This is because cartilage deteriorates naturally with age and “wear and tear”. But the severity of joint disease varies from person to person based on a number of lifestyle and genetic factors.
Age is a significant contributor to the development of joint disease. Estimates based on 2003–2005 data suggest that 46.4 million adults report doctor-diagnosed arthritis, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As America ages, this figure could increase to 67 million by 2030.2 Canada’s federal health department also projects the number of people with arthritis (and other rheumatic conditions) to rise as the population ages—from 4 million in 2000 to 6.4 million by 2026, an increase of 54%.3 Aging, however, is just one trend pointing to a greater prevalence of arthritis.
Exercise
Catering to people with motor impairments by Anne Clark
In an active adult community where most residents are independent and vibrant, there is a segment of the population that is often neglected: people affected by neurological disorders. The Lite Chair class was conceived to help people with conditions such as a stroke, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.
moreExercise
The BEST exercise program for osteoporosis prevention by Lauve Metcalfe, MS
Osteoporosis is a significant health problem in the United States. More than 25 million people are affected, most of whom (80%) are women. Women who are not receiving hormone replacement therapy, are not consuming adequate amounts of calcium and are inactive can lose 20% to 30% of their bone mass between 40 and 70 years of age. As a result, women have a 40% fracture risk throughout their lifetime, with more than 1.5 million fractures per year attributed to osteoporosis (Going, Lohman, Houtkooper, et al, 2003).
moreExercise
Flexibility exercises for older adults By Marlyn Black
Ending an exercise session with flexibility exercises is a good way to improve range of motion and stability in older adults. As a personal trainer who works with older women, I have found that standing stretches are a good option for those clients who are not able to—or do not want to—get up and down from the floor. In a public space such as a gym or an exercise class, older people may be reluctant to lay down on the floor and perform stretches that require raising or extending their legs. Besides, older adults are seated most of the day, so they benefit from standing while exercising.
moreExercise
Chair dances everyone can do By Dawn Malek
Many people do not think of dancing as exercise, let alone dancing from a chair! But moving rhythmically while seated can burn calories. The Second Chance to Dance chair dance/exercise program is a gentle, but active, alternative exercise program that combines fun and fitness in an impact-free aerobic format. It is specially choreographed for older adults of all abilities, including those with heart problems, diabetes, stroke, and those in wheelchairs.
moreExercise
Planning strength exercises for people with arthritis By Mark Richards, MS, PT
Arthritic pain. Does arthritis conjure up thoughts of discomfort and the need to decrease activity and increase rest? Understandably, those are natural responses to pain. Often, patients and clients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are advised to slow down, to take it easy, and certainly to avoid any significant activity for the involved joints. But, is it possible those recommendations do more harm than good? The answer from the research appears to be “yes.”
more
