The best sports for seniors

Regular physical activity not only prolongs lifebut also reduces diseases and disabilities due to age and, for this reason, sports practice among older people continues to grow. According to the latest Sports Habits Survey prepared by the Higher Sports Council, 44.6% of Spaniards over 65 years of age practice sports once a week.

“Exercise has many benefits, not only for our health, but also from a social point of view. It has been proven that an active life contributes positively to good physical and mental functioning. Because, although exercise is also important for children and adults, for the elderly it can be vital,” says Jordi Gracia, commercial director of Stannah Spain.

In this context, Stannah Spaina world leader in mobility solutions, has identified the best sports for seniors:

1. Fitness and gymnastics. They are usually performed in a gym, but also at home, as long as the person is sure that they are doing the exercises correctly.

2. Swimming and aqua aerobics. These sports have a reputation for being very suitable for older people. In fact, water is about 12 times denser than air, so you have to exercise. in the water only 50% of body weight is carriedand submerged up to the neck, only 10%. In short, underwater, more muscle strength is developed because the muscles offer more resistance.

3. Walking, running and Nordic walking. Walking, at a steady pace, helps maintain a good rhythm and is a of the most accessible activities; running, which is also suitable for those who are fit and offers greater energy efficiency. In addition, Nordic walking is added to these options, a more complete modality that, thanks to the use of poles, activates up to 90% of the muscles and provides additional stability, becoming a comprehensive workout for the entire body.

4. Yoga. Yoga is the union of body, mind and soul, suitable for all ages with enormous benefits for older people. By combining physical effort and relaxing breathing techniquesyoga maintains muscle flexibility, strengthens bones and reduces stress.

5. Dance. It is one of the best sports that an older person can practice, since dance has many positive benefits for health, both physical and mental. However, dancing is not only positive for training balance, but also for memory.

6. Tennis and soccer. At first glance they do not seem suitable for the senior population, but with some modifications, both sports can be practiced by people of a certain age. When playing tennis, hand-eye coordination is trained at a high pace. Older people play a little slower, but the exercise is still very intense. Football, for its part, works on condition and resistance, a true equipment sport that in turn brings many benefits on a social level and, therefore, for psychological well-being.

7. Bicycle. It is an accessible way to exercise because it requires relatively little effort and ensures greater resistance. Additionally, cycling has a relatively low risk of injury because it is easier on the joints. It is recommended to travel at least 6 km per hour. It is important to make small efforts so that this has a positive effect.

The company recommends starting with short sessions and gentle intensitiesprogressively increasing time and intensity and participation in programs directed by professionals adapted to older people.

They can even count on the support from a physiotherapistwhether because they feel safer, because they have suffered an injury and want to stay active, or simply to maintain their condition and independence under supervision.