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Running for Senior Citizens

Jogging or running can be an effective way for healthy senior citizens who don't have a pre-existing illness or injury to improve or maintain health. The benefits of aerobic exercise for senior citizens extends beyond the physical and can actually help prevent mental decline typically associated with aging. With the approval of a physician, aged individuals who incorporate regular jogs or runs into their daily routine can improve their quality of life and perhaps even live longer.

  1. Improved Cardiovascular Health

    • Running or jogging is a way at risk seniors could improve their cardiovascular health. Running makes the hearts and lungs stronger, helps lower blood pressure levels, and helps lower bad cholesterol levels that can lead to cardiovascular disease. According to a October 2007 article by Deborah Kotz in U.S. News & World Report, Harvard researchers found that brisk walking could reduce elderly women's chances of developing heart disease by 30 percent if they walked 2.5 hours weekly. Elderly men who walked 1.5 miles a day cut their risk in half.

    Decreased Risk from Osteoporosis

    • Elderly individuals who run or jog regularly are less likely to develop the negative symptoms associated with osteoporosis. Walking, jogging, and running help increase bone strength and help prevent weak, frail, and easily broken bones in old age. When bones are stressed by the movement and impact associated with running, bone density increases and bones get stronger.

    Improved Blood Sugar Levels

    • Elderly individuals suffering from diabetes may want to start a running or jogging routine to help lower their blood sugar levels. Any type of exercise helps keep blood sugar levels in check and elderly people who start becoming more active through running may find their doctors are able to take them off of their diabetes medication.

    Reduction of Memory Problems

    • Elderly individuals at risk for developing memory problems or illnesses like dementia or Alzheimer's disease may benefit from running regularly. According to AllMensNeeds.com, a study by Dr. Kisou Kubota with Nihon Fukushi University in Japan assessed the cognitive abilities of elderly individuals before and after putting the subjects on running program in which they ran 30 minutes a day, two to three days a week for at least 12 weeks. Researchers observed significant improvement on the test scores of elderly runners after the 12 weeks were over. It is believed that increased oxygen and blood supply to the brain helps protect it, thereby improving cognitive function and memory.

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