Ageless Exercise in Active Lifestyle
Dr. David J. Demko, Gerontologist
AgeVenture News Service 04-02-03
"Have you lived in this town all your life", I asked the 87 year-old jogger warming up for
his morning run. "Nope", he said, "not yet". Yes, gerontologists would agree that living
a long time requires a positive attitude much like that active octogenarian. But attitude is
just half the story. Transforming motivation into action is the other half of the longevity
equation. So, what are the options for getting into in tip-top shape? And, where do those
opportunities exist?
Never before in history have Americans enjoyed such a high standard of living. Life feels
good, and boomers believe "if it feels good do it." And now that the kids in the movie
ticket booth are asking them if they want the "senior citizen" discount price, boomers
are running dry-mouthed to the nearest Fountain of Youth. Health clubs, dietary supplements,
miracle anti-aging hormones. So many options, so little time to decide on which avenue
is a legitimate strategy for putting the brakes on "old father time". Just where can
you turn?
Well, "necessity is the mother of innovation". And life-extension options have never been
more "necessary" to today's boomers. That's why it comes
as no surprise that the fitness gurus at Nautilus have created the “Delay the Onset of Aging”
program designed to improve mobility and overall health among millions of boomers who have
found themselves "suddenly senior". After all, it's scary to enter that stage of life
in which friends drop the usual salutory greetings like "how you do'in" and start using
using a greeting like "you still look good." You know what I mean, that stage of life
when you start attending school unions just to find out whose starting to "fall apart."
Enter the Nautilus Group, a corporation
focusing on improving people’s lives, regardless of age. Fitness
programs have been known to dramatically improve health and improving health results
in lower overall healthcare costs. The “Delay the Onset of Aging” program is offered as
a solution for an aging population,” Nautilus president Kevin Lamar.
According to the U.S. Census, 45-to-54-year-olds are the fastest-growing age group,
and increased education and publicity are driving
the aging population to focus on their physical fitness. In fact, recent health club
memberships grew 118 percent among people 55
and older, the largest increase of any age group. Nautilus recognized this growing
trend, but also realized that many people may be
introduced to physical training for the first time in their fifties. That time of
life when you actually look better with your clothes on.
Nautilus created “Delay the Onset of Aging” to teach late-bloomers
how to begin and continue a regular, safe exercise program. The program's creators believe
it to be a sensible approach to exercise because it starts slowly and progresses gradually
to higher fitness levels. In fact, Nautilus has a training program to educate instructors
who help students move safely through the six-week program, starting with an initial
fitness evaluation followed by strength training and endurance exercise according to
structured training protocols and guidelines.
The program is based on a study conducted by Dr. Wayne Westcott, a physical
fitness expert devoted to helping the 55-plus crowd. Westcott’s study
followed seniors in a skilled nursing facility in Florida. The study documented
improvements in mobility, strength and functional
independence measurements. Fourteen female and five male residents, who averaged
88 years of age, completed the 14-week
strength training study, exercising twice a week. The results were dramatic,
including 14 percent increase in function, an 81
percent increase in lower body strength, and a 38 percent increase in upper body
strength.
George Conway, a centenarian who participates in the “Delay the Onset of Aging”
program, credits the program for keeping him
healthy and reducing stiffness and arthritis pain. “Exercise adds years to your
life, and life to your years,” says Conway. Okay, so maybe you're motivated to
get back in shape. How do you transform motivation into action? What are your options?
Here's one. Find out more about the “Delay the Onset of Aging” program, including
facilities offering the program. Visit www.fitnessacademy.com on the Internet.
After all, the proverbial "fitness ball" is now in your court. So make your move already.
Image credit: Nautilus.
See related articles in AgeVenture Headline News.
See related articles in AgeVenture Lifestyle News.
AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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Dr. Demko reports on lifestyle issues and trends in Aging America. Submit comments to:
demko@demko.com
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"David Demko, AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com"
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AgeVenture News Service, 19432 Preserve Drive, Boca Raton, FL 33498 USA
Dr. David Demko, Editor
Voice-mail: 561-482-6271. E-mail: demko@demko.com
