Dr. Serrano defends physical exercise in older people

Dr. Fernando Serrano Pérez, Head of the Rehabilitation Service of the Quirónsalud Sur Hospital presented, in XLI Congress of the Spanish Society for Healthcare Quality (SECA)held on October 22, 23 and 24 in Madrid, the study “Importance of physical exercise and health programs”which evaluates physical abilities, psychological and behavioral aspects in older people.

The study is based on a group exercise program for 20 seniors (70 years average age, 55% women and 45% men) two days a week with a duration of 1 hour every dayin which anonymous surveys were used that asked about physical, psychological, and emotional aspects.

As for the results90% of the participants have maintained or lowered their blood pressure, 100% have helped them include exercise as a routine in their lives and 60% take fewer pills.

“This work continues a decade of ‘Functional Optimization’ programs carried out in different areas (patients affected by Covid-19, both in the ward and in the ICU, transplant patients, oncological patients, patients with mental health problems,…), with an excellent reception from patients and professionals, – assures the Dr. Serrano-. The idea is simple (and very old): If the body moves, everything works better. “We do not need great technologies, but knowledge, methods and clinical leadership to motivate teams and activate the patient in their health process.”

Incorporate structured exercise programs into care pathways, measure your impact and make excellence a daily practice It allows us to face major challenges such as cardiovascular events, oncological and neurodegenerative processes, mental health disorders or aging. “Physical exercise is a transversal and sustainable tool that must be integrated into carewhether in the ICU, in the ward, in the consultation or at home,” concludes the expert.