subject: How Walking Can Benefit Your Bones As You Age [print this page] There are many benefits to walkingThere are many benefits to walking. In fact, walking is listed as one of the best exercises for young and old alike. Not only is it great for the cardiovascular system, but it also reduces blood pressure levels. Walking also helps with brain function, weight loss and stress reduction.
As people start to age their bones get thinner and become more susceptible to fractures. Sometimes this is caused by hereditary genes, but in many people it is just part of the aging process.
At Massachusetts Live in Home Care, walking is utilized to help clients maintain a level of movement that is beneficial to their overall health. Walking can strengthen muscles and bones and help alleviate the pain and discomfort caused by arthritis. This low-impact exercise works as well as any weight bearing exercise but with less risk of injuries and accidents. Just as muscles need to be worked to maintain their strength and flexibility, bones need to be exercised to do the same.
Although walking is a great form of exercise, if it is something new that is being tried, Massachusetts Home Care aids advise that a walker should start off slow to prevent too much stress on the muscles and bones. Try walking for a few blocks at a medium rate. Increase to one-half mile at a brisker rate, and then work up to a mile. Bones that have not been exposed to this exercise take time to adjust. That is why it is best to start out slow and work up to something longer and faster.
Walking is an exercise that if started early enough, can actually reverse the onset of osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. After getting up to a good rate and distance, discomfort in the joints and bones will start lessening. Remember, the flexibility is needed in the bones. When they start stiffening and thinning, fractures, breaks and injuries can occur.
Talk with Massachusetts Parkinson"s Care today to learn how you or your elderly loved one can exercise safely and continuously.
