Health Promoting Factors – Exercise

Health Promoting Factors – Exercise

The importance of exercise in supporting healthy ageing is one health-promoting aspect that I find particularly interesting. Exercise is a multidimensional factor that promotes longevity by influencing several areas of physical and mental health. Physical activity on a regular basis has been found to promote cardiovascular health, increase muscular strength and flexibility, and aid in the maintenance of a healthy body weight (Liu et al., 2023). It is also important for promoting cognitive function and emotional well-being in older persons. Exercise can help avoid chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis, which are becoming more common as individuals get older.

Exercise has more than just physical advantages; it also promotes social engagement and connection, which is an important part of healthy ageing. Group exercise courses, walking clubs, and even casual activities like dancing can help older people connect with others and combat social isolation. These social contacts are extremely beneficial to mental and emotional well-being and can contribute to a sense of belonging and purpose later in life. Overall, exercise stands out as a health-promoting element in healthy ageing due to its broad advantages that span physical, mental, and social aspects, ultimately improving both longevity and quality of life in the ageing population.

Numerous studies and considerable research give compelling evidence that exercise benefits ageing persons’ health. Regular physical exercise is linked to a lower risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis, all of which are more common in older people. Exercise also aids in maintaining a healthy body weight and muscular mass, increasing overall physical function, and lowering the risk of falls and fractures (Ladlow et al., 2023). Exercise has been demonstrated to improve memory, executive function, and overall brain health in elderly persons, so the cognitive benefits are obvious. Socially, exercise promotes social engagement and connectedness, both essential for ageing individuals’ mental and emotional health.

References

Ladlow, P., Western, M., Greaves, C., Thompson, J. L., Withall, J., Jolanthe De Koning, Bollen, J. C., Moorlock, S. J., Guralnik, J. M., Fox, K. R., & Afroditi Stathi. (2023). The REtirement in ACTion exercise programme and its effects on elements of long-term functionality in older adults. Frontiers in Public Health, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1151035

Liu, X., Kim Geok Soh, & Dev, R. (2023). Effect of Latin dance on physical and mental health: a systematic review. 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16221-6

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Aging, the Individual, and Society, 10th edition. S. M. Hillier & G. M. Barrow. ISBN-978-1-285-74661-6

Your textbook (Chapter 4) discusses biological, psychological, social, and environmental factors that influence longevity, such as exercise, a healthy diet, a positive social environment, etc. These are considered “health-promoting” factors. Pick one health-promoting factor that you are interested in for this discussion. Describe the factor in detail. What evidence do we have that this factor supports health in the ageing adult? Don’t forget to support your discussion with scholarly references.