As we age, our bone density decreases.
It’s just a fact of life.
But there are ways to slow that process.
These seniors are doing just what they should to make sure they stay as strong as they can as long as they can.
They take classes under the direction of Castle Medical Center‘s Cindy Carvalho.
"I’m currently in the fitness plus position and that involves also doing some individual weight management classes as well as some personal training,” said Cindy Carvalho, fitness specialist.
Falls are the leading cause of seniors ending up hospitalized.
Strength and balance training are ways to avoid falls.
"As a person ages various changes occur in systems in our body that definitely affect not only our balance and our strength but also our flexibility and as that happens, people may find that there’s a risk for falls,” said Carvalho.
Cindy starts her classes slowly, giving seniors time to adjust to the exercises.
Then, ultimately she will add some weight training to the class.
"A lot of times people’s strength will decrease which definitely has a negative effect on our balance, so we focus on strengthening exercises and also working on some flexibility to improve that changes that occur,” said Carvalho.
Though the seniors are involved in classes up to three times a week, they can also do these exercises at home on their own time.
"We definitely encourage our class participants to exercise at home as well. Our classes are three times a week, so they get quite a bit of exercise but exercise at home is also very beneficial, because consistency is what helps people to be successful,” said Carvalho.
Finally, the class setting allows seniors the opportunity to encourage each other.
"People that exercise in a group setting also have that benefit of social support and inter-action that they sometimes lose as they get older,” said Carvalho.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
