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"What are the three kinds of sports that the old man said should be avoided?" Aunt Li couldn't wait to ask the doctor in the waiting room of the community hospital.
Dr. Yang, an experienced geriatrician, took out his notebook and prepared to give Aunt Li a detailed explanation. "In fact, there are many misunderstandings about sports, especially for the elderly, and they should pay more attention to choosing the right type of exercise."
Aunt Li is a retired primary school teacher who lives a relatively monotonous life in her later years, so she takes her health very seriously. Ever since she heard that excessive or inappropriate exercise can be taxing her body, she has been particularly concerned about whether she is doing the right thing.
"First of all, we want to avoid high-intensity aerobic exercise, such as long runs and high-intensity aerobics." Dr. Yang began to explain, "While aerobic exercise has great benefits for cardiorespiratory fitness, for older adults with weakened heart function, excessive exercise can increase the burden on the heart, which can lead to heart disease or even more serious consequences." ”
Aunt Li recalls that she used to go for a run in the park with her friends, and now it seems that she may need to adjust her exercise plan.
"The second thing to avoid is the use of heavy equipment in weight training." Dr. Yang continued, "Many seniors believe that weight training helps them maintain muscle mass and bone density, and rightly so.
However, the use of heavy equipment can put too much stress on the joints and bones, especially for older people with osteoporosis symptoms, and a little carelessness can cause fractures. ”
At this time, Aunt Li seemed a little worried, she had tried to do some light weights in the gym to improve her bone health, and now she realized that she needed to be more careful.
"Finally, I would like to mention certain competitive or intense ball games, such as basketball and soccer." Dr. Yang explains, "Not only do these sports require high coordination and reaction speed, but they are also prone to collisions and falls, which is a risk that should not be taken for the elderly. ”
Despite her age, Aunt Lee still has an active social life, and she sometimes participates in simple badminton activities, which are not on Dr. Yang's list of taboos.
"So, Dr. Yang, can you recommend some exercises for the elderly?" Aunt Li asked curiously.
"Absolutely." Dr. Yang replied with a smile, "In fact, there are many exercises suitable for the elderly, such as tai chi, yoga and water exercises. These exercises have little impact on the body and can effectively improve the flexibility and balance of the body, which is very suitable for the elderly. ”
Aunt Li was very happy to hear this, she remembered that Tai Chi and water aerobics classes were offered at the community center, and she was looking forward to thinking that she could try these new forms of exercise.
Seeing Aunt Li's excitement, Dr. Yang added some details. "Tai Chi is a very good exercise that not only improves the flexibility and stability of the body, but also helps you relax and reduce stress. This is a very good exercise option for people with high blood pressure and heart disease. ”
Aunt Li took note of these suggestions, and she decided to check out the nearby classes when she got home to see which ones were right for her. Dr. Yang then mentioned a specific case, which was a case he had encountered earlier.
There was an old gentleman who had to undergo knee replacement surgery because of the severe degeneration of his knee joint due to inappropriately high-intensity running for a long time. "That's why I always remind people to avoid inappropriate exercise. Moderation is key. ”
Through these concrete examples, Aunt Li has gained more understanding and awareness of the choice of exercise, and she is grateful to Dr. Yang for the information and advice.
Dr. Yang also reminded Aunt Li that in addition to choosing the right exercise, diet and lifestyle habits are also very important. "Maintaining a balanced diet, eating more vegetables and fruits, and less fatty and fatty foods are all basic principles that will help you stay healthy."
For Aunt Li, this consultation not only answered her doubts about exercise, but also gave her a more comprehensive understanding of how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
What are your thoughts on exercise for seniors? Welcome to discuss in the comment area!