By Abigail Haller, Screening Integration Coordinator at Elder Law of Michigan
Exercising the heart comes with many health benefits. One major benefit, according to Johns Hopkins research, includes the improvement of the heart muscle’s ability to pull oxygen from the blood. The ability to pull more oxygen from the blood allows the heart to stop pumping as hard and reduces stress on the heart muscles. Managing time and discovering the most beneficial exercise routines can be a great challenge for many individuals, especially older adults. Fortunately, there are many means of exercise that anyone can benefit from.
Going to a gym or a group fitness center is not always feasible or desired. There are many exercises that can be done in the comfort of your home, even for those who may have limited mobility. Sit and Be Fit is a non-profit organization that strives to help older adults take control of their health and well-being. Through specifically designed programming, older adults can remain seated and still move in a way that builds strength and improves mobility.
The programs can be found on the internet, public television, DVD’s and other media types so that everyone has a way to participate. Not only does Sit and Be Fit provide exercise programs for older adults, the organization also has a multitude of resources and information that branches into all areas of the aging process.
Now, having a routine or program for exercise is not the only way to be active. According to an article by Harvard Health Publishing, for every 15 minutes you move your body in a moderate to intense manner, there is a reduction in risk of death by 4%. Moderate to intense movement varies for each person. For example, to some individuals, walking up and down a flight of stairs one time may be considered intense movement. Simply moving the body as much as possible throughout the day has great health benefits.
Check out Sit and Be Fit’s Youtube channel for fun fitness exercises.
Abigail Haller is a Screening Integration Coordinator for MiCAFE at Elder Law of Michigan. She has been a member of the Elder Law of Michigan team since October 2018. As a Screening Integration Coordinator, Abigail helps seniors in Michigan apply for benefits so they can feel comfortable with the application process.