When we approach the afternoon of our lives, that does not necessarily mean the sun has to go down anytime soon. If you want to ensure a quality of life for many years, it’s no secret that physical fitness is just as important for older people as it is for the younger generations. It has substantial effects on muscular, cardiovascular, and bone health.
As we age, it is good to adjust and tailor our workout routine to suit our bodies. While we may not necessarily want to participate in an Iron Man competition at age 85, we can still boost the heart rate with some sort of stimulation, and a great way to do that doesn’t seem like exercise at all. Just put on some toe-tapping and head-bopping tunes and let your body start to feel the rhythm. Dancing actually creates a workout that provides a host of physical benefits that will keep you feeling your best.
Even when I was in elementary school, my spirited grandma would insist that I engage in some form of dancing to maintain my health. Of course, this endeavor also included a request to “perform” in the living room with my gangly younger cousin in front of a host of family members who looked like they would much rather be taking a nap than watching two pre-adolescents groove to “Celebration” by Kool and the Gang in a most awkward-like fashion.
Not one to be left on the sidelines, Grandma certainly knows how to work her dancing shoes. To hear some family members tell it, she used to kick up her heels at some of the most elite clubs in New York City back in the 1950s. These days, at nearly 106 years of age, Grandma is a bit more subdued, but if you grabbed her by the hand and slowly twirled her around, I’m certain she would find her groove.
The American Heart Association recommends some form of moderate exercise for 20 minutes, at least three times per week, to maintain heart health benefits in adults. While Grandma may not be on the dance floor working up a sweat to the golden oldies, she can still move at a moderate pace for an effective, low-impact workout that is sure to raise her heart rate and keep it elevated for an appreciable amount of time. Of course, these days she may claim that the walk from her table to the dance floor is a work out in and of itself! One study by an Italian heart institute revealed that those who danced three times per week actually improved their oxygen health by 18 percent. Dance movements like the twist allow for full-body movements that provide an excellent aerobic workout.
Even better news: The National Osteoporosis Foundation suggested dancing as a way to improve bone health. A weight-bearing activity, dancing creates bone/muscle/tendon interactions that help increase bone density, which usually begins its decline in our 30s. When you engage in an activity like dancing, you are forced to stretch your muscles, improving your overall flexibility. Dancing also requires a certain amount of balance, and improvements in balance helps to decrease falls and injuries which can lead to fractures. Dancing also aids in improving one’s gait. Once you feel the rhythm and hear the music, you can’t help but walk tall and bust a move! Just make sure that if you are out on the dance floor with Grandma, don’t trip over her cane. The National Osteoporosis Foundation didn’t mention that potential risk as Grandma shakes her groove thing across the floor! In that case, dance at your own risk! Grandma’s got some serious moves!
(Information for this article was found at http://www.livestrong.com/article/139177-effectiveness-dancing-programs-fitness-elderly/)