Helping Seniors Stay Fit

Older adults at risk for heart disease can improve their exercise habits when they receive behavioral counseling combined with exercise therapy, says a Wake Forest University study.

The study found older adults who received that combination increased their amount of weekly exercise by as much as 45 minutes a week compared to older adults who only exercise.

The counseling portion of the combination approach encourages the older adults to be more physically active at home, in addition to their more formal exercise sessions with trained medical staff. The study suggests this counseling may help the older adults become more confident in their ability to exercise on their own.

The study was published in the July issue of Health Psychology.

The researchers say finding ways to encourage older adults to exercise on their own is important because most health insurers support only a limited number of hours of exercise treatment for people recovering from cardiovascular disease.

Also, once participants leave the structure of formal care, they quickly return to sedentary lifestyles.

The study included 123 people, aged 50 to 80, with previous heart problems or several risk factors for heart disease. They were all inactive and unable to complete daily activities such as short walks or stair-climbing.

The study volunteers were divided into two groups. One group took part in supervised exercise sessions and were given short lectures on preventing further heart disease. The second group received the same exercise and lecture program, along with group counseling.

At the end of the study, the counseled group performed better on a treadmill test, increased their confidence in walking, and reported a bigger increase in weekly physical activity.

More information

Here's where you can learn more about exercise for older adults.

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