From The NIH (the government) (National Institutes of Health) Reference: NIH Senior Health
Transcript: "Are You Ever too Old to Exercise?"
Stephen I. Katz, M.D.
Director, National Institute of Arthritis and
Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases:
I think that's a very important question. Are you ever too old to exercise? And I think you're not. (Katz walks on treadmill.) For example, it was long thought that people with arthritis should not exercise. Now, it's been well documented in many studies that people with osteo-arthritis will improve their joints, will be able to have less pain, less disability with a certain amount of exercise. I'm not talking about vigorous exercise, but I'm talking about walking and that type of exercise. I find it very stimulating psychologically as well as physically. I think it's important for my mental health as well as for my physical health and that's why I do it.
Transcript: "Why Older Adults Should Exercise"
Richard J. Hodes, M.D.
Director, National Institute on Aging:
It's much more than okay for older people to exercise. And importantly, that is a conviction that is based not just on intuition but as a result of a good deal of research over the past years. It was judged that exercise was too dangerous, too vigorous and that older people, because of frailty, were more likely to be injured or damaged by exercise. However, a number of well-conducted, controlled studies have shown that a variety of exercises are not only safe for older people but have enormous advantage. This includes aerobic exercise that is good for conditioning of heart and lungs as well as rather vigorous weight training, (Hodes does bicep curls) which has shown the ability in people in their sixties, seventies, eighties, and even nineties, to significantly increase muscle mass, most importantly, muscle strength, and most importantly of all, to translate that increase in strength into the ability to carry out functions of daily living; to climb stairs, to shop, to carry packages. Things that are important to maintaining independence and health throughout the lifespan.
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