Get Moving for Better Health How Staying Physically Active Helps As You Age
Exercising at any age has great benefits but as we grow older, staying physically active offers unique rewards, including countering agerelated weight gain, building stronger bones, fighting off diseases, helping with balance and even slowing the aging process itself. As we age, our bodies typically experience slower metabolism, a loss of muscle and bone mass, a decline in cardiovascular health and a slowdown of reaction times and reflexes. 16
To attain the most health benefits from physical activity, the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services recommends participating in at least 150 minutes – or two-and-a-half hours – of moderate-intensity aerobic activity each week and muscle-strengthening activity at least two days a week. “Moving more and sitting less” is key, according to the federal government agency, since increased sedentary behavior is Aging Resources 2021–2022
