Exercise Testing and Prescription
Maintain fitness and manage weight as you age
How well or poorly you are aging can be assessed through a number of predictive biological markers. Tracking these markers of biological performance generally demonstrates an age dependent decline. But by adopting certain lifestyle modifications advocated in age management medicine, such as a healthy diet and regular moderate exercise, that pattern can be altered. Your body can be rejuvenated. Regaining aerobic stamina, muscular strength and flexibility are essential to restoring the vitality and vigor you may have thought were gone forever.
Through a consistent and balanced exercise plan, you can:
- increase your metabolism
- enhance sexual performance
- improve concentration, mental alertness and reaction time
- improve posture
- improve the quality of your sleep
- increase lean muscle mass
- reduce anxiety, depression and stress
- reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and type-2 diabetes
Manage weight and maintain quality of life with strength training
Strength training, or resistance exercise, builds stronger, firmly toned muscles. The average American gains 1 pound of fat every year between ages 30 to 60, and loses a half pound of muscle over the same period. This condition is known as sarcopenia. Increases in strength and gains in muscle mass after training leads to improved overall performance and quality of life. Resistance training reduces body fat, increases bone density and muscle mass, reduces the potential for injuries and falls, and improves body appearance.
Aerobic exercise can increase life expectancy and lower health risks
Aerobic, or cardiovascular exercise is an activity that uses a sufficient amount of oxygen to completely burn triglycerides, free fatty acids and stored carbohydrates (glycogen). It does not necessarily mean long duration moderate intensity exercise that has been come to be known as “cardio” (see “Endurance vs Interval Exercise”). Performing progressive levels of interval exercise results in improved endurance and conditioning that is associated with greater life expectancy and lowered health risks, such as heart disease, type-2 diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure and obesity.
Flexibility exercises reduce risk of injury as you age
Flexibility exercises help maintain and improve the range of motion around a joint by increasing the length of muscle and connective tissue. Greater flexibility reduces the risk of injury, can help alleviate low back pain, reduce stress, improve balance and grace.
