Elder Care Cafe

Margaret Jules is a writer and guest blogger who enjoys an active lifestyle. You can read more about her and check out her website at the end of this article.

Exercises are great stress reliever and it also boosts self confidence among seniors. Researches reveal that martial arts are a great form of activity for aged persons. However, one should not over stress themselves. Exercises should be chosen carefully keeping in mind the age factor. There are several benefits of this, like:

• It helps to learn co ordination
• Provides group support
• Improve flexibility and provides a healthier life
• Increase mental alertness

How to choose?

Selection of a move is really essential in martial art. Go for the move in which you find a purpose. There are quite a few forms of martial arts like tae kwon do, kung fu, tai chi and karate. You can pick your style from any one of these. But, it is advisable to go for the less aggressive version of martial art like tai chi for the elderly learners. You can control blood pressure, heart diseases and arthritis with keeping your body active. What is more, the senior learners can improve their spiritual side, as martial arts involve both body and mind.

Types of exercise

Problem areas of each individual should be targeted before assigning them to particular exercises. To begin exercising, you need to warm up your body. The ideal exercise for this purpose is polymetric bounding. It will give you a forward momentum and prepare your body for further workouts. You can use a chair or wall to maintain your balance.

Many mature persons have chest and arms problem. Polymetric pushups are ideal for them. It helps to strengthen the forearm muscles and ensures normal heart functions. You can do as many sets as you can.

We should all learn to defend ourselves. Throwing air punches are a great way to maintain body flexibility. The trainees should perform this exercise with both hands in sequence. You can increase the effects by using either a resistance band or wrist band.

Lateral barrier jumps helps to reinforce your cuff and thigh muscles. For this form of exercise you will need small barriers to jump over. After hopping to one end you have to return to the starting point. Repeat this for any number of times.

Reflex and flexibility can be further increased by single arm throw. The additional requirement for this work out is a medical ball. The overall body movement makes this exercise a preferable option.

Where to train

The elderly persons can join any martial arts training programs. If you are keener in this form of art, you can keep a personal trainer for yourself. The seniors are good learners as they are very much willing to follow instructions. There is also another alternative. You can find a number of martial arts learning DVDs in the market. They are loaded with step by step instructions which will help anyone to learn this art at home.

From this we can conclude that to stay fit at later years of life you have to active. It has been seen that a person performing this art is less prone to severe illness. Just remember not to overexert your body.

About The Author: Margaret is a writer. She loves writing, travelling and playing. Recently she did an article on good health benefits. These days she is working on expensive cupcake.