To get all of the benefits
of physical activity, try all four types of exercise – 1) endurance, 2)
strength, 3) balance, and 4) flexibility.
- Be sure to get at least 30 minutes of activity that makes you breathe hard on most or all days of the week. That’s called an endurance
activity because it builds your energy or “staying power.” You don’t
have to be active for 30 minutes all at once. Ten minutes at a time is
fine. Just make sure you are active for a total of 30 minutes most days.
How
hard do you need to push yourself? If you can talk without any trouble
at all, you are not working hard enough. If you can’t talk at all, it’s
too hard. - Keep using your muscles. Strength exercises
build muscles. When you have strong muscles, you can get up from a
chair by yourself, you can lift your grandchildren, and you can walk
through the park
Keeping your muscles in shape helps prevent falls
that cause problems like broken hips. You are less likely to fall when
your leg and hip muscles are strong - Do things to help your balance. Try
standing on one foot, then the other. If you can, don’t hold on to
anything for support. Get up from a chair without using your hands or
arms. Every now and then walk heel-to-toe. When you walk this way, the
toes of the foot in back should almost touch the heel of the foot in
front.
- Stretch. Stretching can help you be more
flexible. Moving more freely will make it easier for you to reach down
to tie your shoes or look over your shoulder when you back the car out
of your driveway. Stretch when your muscles are warmed up. Don’t
stretch so far that it hurts.
Source: National Institute of Health
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