IT IS heartening to read that the Lien Foundation is bringing in pneumatic gym equipment to a few nursing homes and eldercare centres ("Gyms for seniors to boost health"; last Friday).
There seems to be more acceptance among clinicians and carers on the potency of exercise for disease and/or disability prevention and treatment, particularly in frail seniors.
To date, regular physical activity is the only lifestyle behaviour identified which can favourably influence a broad range of physiological systems and chronic disease risk factors, and may also be associated with better mental health.
Other than expensive gym equipment, strengthening frail seniors has also been accomplished by exercises that use free weights, body weight and resistance exercise bands.
Simple functional activities, such as carrying grocery bags, can also be useful if an individual lacks the equipment, or cannot manipulate the equipment safely.
For seniors with cognitive impairment, the exercise choice should be less complex, with emphasis on the major muscle groups needed for function, such as rising from a chair or stair climbing.
It will be good to see how the pneumatic gym equipment can lower the barrier for otherwise frail and inactive seniors to initiate physical activity and, more importantly, help them to continue exercising to enjoy the benefits of physical
activities.
We would do well to be aware that the benefits of exercise training are quickly lost upon cessation of training, even in regularly active older adults.
While it is never too late to start becoming physically active, it is better to take up different activities that you enjoy and can regularly engage in over time, whether in a gym, ball courts, tracks or parks, and not wait till disease or disability sets in.
Research shows that poor strength and aerobic fitness in mid-life are associated with adverse health outcomes, like disability, heart disease and even some cancers, much later on in the senior years.
Wee Shiou Liang (Dr)
