About 10.3%-15% of the population in the Philippines is 50 years and older. As the country shifts gear towards an aging population by the year 2025, the Commission on Population (PopCom) said that Filipinos are living longer but they remain to be in poor health.
The life span of the Filipino female is now longer at 72 years and 67 years for the male due to modern medicine and technology. However, their quality of life did not improve.
As we grow older, the quality of life starts diminishing. According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE), one measure of the quality of life is an individuals’ ability to perform activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and eating and these regular routines may become difficult as one gets older. Progressive aging manifests itself with signs like reduction in bone and muscle mass, sensory changes, and less coordination.
And as we age, all the things we must do to stay healthy become even more important. We need to eat the right food. We should not smoke. We can only drink moderately and with precautions. We need to be active to stay active. However, maintaining an active lifestyle becomes a challenge for most. Older people tend to frown on having to start a fitness regimen and would argue that they need to take it easy and slow down further as they age. The exact opposite is true. With regular exercise, an elderly will find oneself with more energy than never before as his/her health and fitness level increases.
BENEFITS OF EXERCISE:
- Builds up muscle and bone mass
- Increases strength and energy
- Improves endurance and lessens fatigue and shortness of breath
- Enhances flexibility, mobility, and balance
- Reduces the effects of illnesses and chronic diseases
- Regulates metabolism to better manage your weight
- Improves sleep
- Boosts mood and self-confidence
- Relieves stress
- Keeps brain activity that can prevent memory loss, cognitive decline, and dementia. It may slow down the progression of brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.
