How to get back into sport as a senior?

 How to get back into sport as a senior?

Sports activity is highly recommended for staying healthy. 

Whether you are a senior or a person with reduced mobility, practicing sports is essential for maintaining your strength and muscle mass, reducing joint pain, and strengthening your vascular system. 

It will therefore be a question of choosing the appropriate sport according to your age or disability and adopting the right actions for a successful return to sport.

The benefits of sport for seniors and people with reduced mobility

The importance of staying active throughout life is undeniable, even for seniors and people with limited mobility. 

While it may seem more difficult or even daunting for some, the benefits of sport and exercise are numerous, both physically and mentally.

For seniors

From a certain age, practicing a sporting physical activity strengthens your muscle mass, which decreases by almost half from the age of 50, reduces joint pain, and strengthens the vascular system, which becomes more fragile.

A sporting activity will help a senior person to:

• Maintain your muscles, joints, and strength,
• Reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases,
• Regulate your breathing and blood pressure,
• Reduce the risk of falls, have better balance,
• Fight weight gain and lower cholesterol levels,
• Fight against osteoporosis and diabetes.

Sports are ultimately one of the best ways to maintain independence, but they also have psychological benefits. 

Outdoor sports are a source of social connection. Sport, which has a calming effect, helps reduce stress and increase self-esteem.

For people with reduced mobility

Just as it is for seniors, exercise makes a significant and positive contribution to good health for people with reduced mobility. 

Physical activity reduces the risks associated with being overweight or developing cardiovascular problems.

The benefits of a sporting activity for a person with reduced mobility are numerous:

Fight against weight gain and cholesterol due to a generally sedentary lifestyle,

• Fight against the risk of diabetes, hypertension, or developing a stroke,
• Increase or maintain muscle strength,
• Reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases,
• Develop your autonomy.

For many people with reduced mobility, practicing physical activity is included in their daily lives through their rehabilitation, particularly to develop their motor skills. 

Including sport in rehabilitation helps limit fatigue. In addition, sport is not only practiced in offices or rehabilitation centers. There are also disabled sports clubs; these structures have equipment adapted to different disabilities. 

Disabled sports allow people with reduced mobility to meet other people with a disability, whether it is the same or different. These outdoor sports activities are an opportunity to interact with individuals facing similar difficulties.

Sport can be an ally in everyday life for seniors or people with reduced mobility; however, it is important to find the sport that suits them and appeals to them the most.

What sports are there for seniors and people with reduced mobility?

For seniors and people with reduced mobility, it is important to choose physical activities adapted to their abilities and needs. Here are some examples of recommended sports and activities:

Swimming

Since water is the only element that provides unhindered freedom of movement, all people with reduced mobility can practice swimming.

Swimming, as well as all water sports, are excellent for health. Swimming releases endorphins, the happy hormones that have an antidepressant effect. 

In the water, the person with reduced mobility regains full possession of their body and no longer suffers from it. While practicing it as a leisure activity allows you to relax, it can become a real asset in everyday life. 

Swimming for the disabled allows you to acquire balance, propulsion, and breathing techniques that can be applied to all situations.

Aquagym and aquabiking are also particularly recommended for seniors who want to stay in good physical condition. 

These sports have the advantage of being non-traumatic for the joints (the water helps cushion the shock ), of stimulating the cardiovascular system, and of improving blood circulation.

The bicycle

Cycling is a recommended sport for seniors. Indeed, practicing an outdoor sport such as cycling is excellent for blood circulation, heart, muscle coordination, balance, and breathing. Practicing sports outdoors also allows you to get some fresh air.

Cycling also allows people with reduced mobility to get around outdoors. Cycling strengthens the leg muscles of people with reduced mobility.