Exercises Older Adults Should Avoid

One of my clients sent me a link (see below) to a CNN article talking about the benefits of older adult exercise. The text of the article is very good but the pictures of the exercises they selected as examples leave much to be desired.

Here is a classic example of what I tell older adults all the time. Just because you see an article about older adult exercise, don't necessarily believe all that you read is helpful or true.

The CNN article shows a series of exercises that are supposed to be good for the older adult population. Sadly most of these exercises are not appropriate for older adults because they are both unsafe and ineffective.

As an example, many of these exercises are being performed sitting or lying down making them a poor choice for balance stimulation. Several of the exercise suggestions place unhealthy pressures on the spine, especially on the lower part of the back, because they involve forward bending (flexion).

One of the exercises requires rapid movements of the legs that again places high stress levels on the spine. The same exercise suggests it strengthens abdominal muscles but lying down is the least effective position for this type of training.

Before you begin an exercises program, remember to always consult with an older adult exercise specialist. It is important to keep your exercise program both safe and effective. Not all exercises are appropriate for older adults and can actually cause significant harm.

Here is the link to the article. Please let me know what you think. http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/03/health/functional-fitness-trend/index.html?hpt=hp_t3