Physical Activity and Aging

Physical inactivity is a fast-growing public-health problem and contributes to a variety of chronic diseases and health complications, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, depression and anxiety, arthritis, and osteoporosis. To help combat this trend, the "Exercise is Medicine" initiative was launched in 2007 to raise awareness on physical activity and aging — and offer guidelines for action on the part of health care providers and health and fitness professionals.

The American College of Sports Medicine and the American Medical Association are in full support of the initiative centered on physical activity and aging, as are leading fitness clubs like Avamere's Health and Fitness Club.

Aging and Exercise is Now Prescribed by Doctors

Exercise can be a powerful complement to traditional medical intervention and, often, may reduce a patient's drug dosage or eliminate the need for medicine altogether. Considering this, health care providers are asked to assess every patient's aging and exercise regimen at every visit. The goal is to encourage able patients to meet the U.S. Physical Activity Guidelines by participating in at least 30-minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity five days per week. Moderate-intensity levels that support physical activity and aging means working hard enough to raise your heart rate and break a sweat, yet still being able to carry on a conversation.