It’s Never Too Late
UT’s Dr. Howley To Speak on Fitness Feb. 1
 "It is never too late to ____" (fill in the blank) seems to be an appropriate motto for many of today’s seniors. Prime timers are jumping out of airplanes and learning to skydive at 75. They are going back to school and earning graduate degrees at 80. Many are beginning to exercise and reaping the benefits of regular physical activity.
Fortunately, it’s never too late to start an exercise routine, according to Ed Howley, Ph. D., professor and head of the University of Tennessee Department of Exercise Science and Sport Management. Howley will speak to seniors at the Frank R. Strang Senior Center on Thursday, Feb. 1 at 11:30 a.m.
Participants are welcome to brown bag lunch. The program is free, but please reserve your space by calling 541-4500.
Exercise is the closest thing to an anti-aging potion. Seniors who exercise regularly gain many health benefits. Exercise helps take off fat, tone muscles, reach and maintain ideal weight, reduce stress and improve sleep. It can even reduce your risk of heart disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension, some kinds of cancer, osteoporosis, and depression.
Howley says research shows that most of the favorable adaptations to exercise training seen in younger subjects are also seen in older individuals. It may take a little longer to achieve, but the benefits remain the same.
According to Howley, when seniors begin an exercise program, they should have a thorough physical exam prior to starting and follow a more gradual entry to the program to reduce the chance of problems. He says seniors have much to gain through regular participation in programs emphasizing aerobic, strength, and flexibility exercises.
Covenant Health’s 50 Plus Fitness class in an innovative exercise program for people 50 and older. The primary focus of 50 Plus Fitness is strengthening muscular function and increasing flexibility, two areas of great importance, especially to those 65 and older. 50 Plus fitness also improves cardiovascular endurance which can reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke.
All 50 Plus Fitness classes are low-impact, easy on the joints, and low-to-moderate in intensity. And to top it off classes are only $1 per session.
Visit the 50+ Fitness Page to get a complete schedule of classes, or call the Covenant Health Information Line at 541-4500.
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