According to the U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health, inactive people are nearly twice as likely to develop heart disease as those who are more active.
Despite the age-defying benefits of getting fit, seniors are the least physically active of all Americans—40 percent of women and 30 percent of men over 70 report that they never exercise.
Explore the resources below to learn about the benefits of exercise, the dangers of inactivity, and helpful tips on getting started:
- Exercise & Physical Activity: Your Everyday Guide from the National Institute on Aging
- Exercise and Fitness as You Age
- Exercise: A Drug-Free Approach to Lowering High Blood Pressure
- Health & Aging: Seniors and Swimming
- Health Benefits of Exercise (NIH Senior Health Site)
- Senior Citizens Need to Work Out Too! (U.S. News)
- Senior Fitness: You're Never Too Old to Exercise
- Strength Training for Older Adults
- Exercise and Stroke Prevention