I am busily putting together my next lecture on Rehabilitation & Exercise for Seniors for the Osteopathy students at Victoria University and thought I would give you a brief summary of the key benefits associated with keeping active and exercising into our older year. As we all know, the ageing process is not always kind to all of us. Some of us start to develop Osteoarthritis in joints like the hip and knee and sometimes end up needing replacements, whereas others start to develop various cardiovascular health related problems, diabetes and many other nasty medical conditions. The sooner we start to develop and maintain a healthy and active lifestyle, then hopefully we are much more likely to be fit and strong as we move into our later years.

Benefits of exercise

Better Health, including:
-Improved cardiovascular function
-Improved pulmonary function
-Favorable changes in blood lipids
-Improved hormonal activities
-Improved immune function
-Better sleep
-Improved cognitive function
-Increased ability to cope with stress, reduced anxiety and depression
-Social benefits such as increased contacts, friendships and support groups

Better fitness, including:
-Increased strength
-Increased aerobic endurance
-Greater flexibility and range of motion
-Improved coordinative and balancing skills
-Healthier body composition
-Better posture and gait

For those of you who are getting older or would like to find out more about what exercises are

I have posted some links to various websites within Australia that provide some useful tips on how to manage the ageing process and the conditions that commonly occur in these later years.

Arthritis Foundation Victoria
Physical Activity For Seniors – Centre of Disease & Management
Tai Chi For Seniors – Tai Chi Australia

If you are currently looking for some advice on the management of getting older and would like a tailored exercise program to suit your needs, please contact Principle Four Osteopathy. Osteopath Heath Williams is currently available to prescribe an exercise program to best suit your needs. Principle Four Osteopathy is located in the heart of the Melbourne City CBD 3000 at 29 Somerset Place, Melbourne City CBD 3000. The clinic is open Monday – Friday and appointments can be made by calling 03 9670 9290 or booking online at www.principlefourosteopathy.com