Age-related illnesses and injuries are more common in older adults, and many people visit their doctor more regularly to treat these issues. Older folks are particularly susceptible to injuries, so aqua gym for seniors is a pleasant, low-impact way to avoid falls and injuries that could result in more serious illnesses.
There are numerous advantages to aquatic exercise and aquagym. It can aid in the mood improvement, lower high blood pressure, raise bone density (which fights osteoporosis), and aid in weight loss. But doing aquagym for the elderly only once won’t cut it; you need to make it a habit.
What is aquatic gymnastics or aqua-gym?
Aqua-gym is a form of workout done in the water that is based on repeating specific movements. It always keeps time with the music and can be performed with objects like churros or tables. For older persons, exercising in the water has two major benefits:
- Since there is no gravity inside the water, the body weighs less and has a lower impact on the joints. Since they frequently hurt, the latter is advantageous for the elderly.
- Water provides excellent resistance to physical motion. This suggests that the senior must use more power, which tones their muscles. Age-related sedentary lifestyles cause muscles to weaken, so aquagym is an excellent option for older adults who want to exercise.
Why do older adults need aqua-gym?
Older folks frequently struggle to keep their balance and coordination. This may be due to a number of factors, such as proprioceptive difficulties, muscle weakness, and joint stiffness. Seniors can benefit greatly from aquagym by maintaining their balance, enhancing their coordination, and increasing their cardiovascular fitness. However, aquagym uses it for a variety of other things as well. The elderly can gain greatly more from it.
6 benefits of aqua-gym for the elderly
From this foundation, aquatic gymnastics offers enormous, more focused advantages. As a result, we’d like to highlight 6 of the many advantages of this activity.
Improves physical condition and agility
Calories are burnt since strength and resistance sports include them. Therefore, aquagym tones the muscles, giving the body a distinct shape. The elderly person notices how her physical condition improves and feels lighter as a result. Additionally, this has a favorable effect on mental health since you perceive yourself as having greater vigour and agility to accomplish more tasks.
In reality, if we go back to the calorie debate, this sport is frequently underrated: aquagym is great for weight loss since it burns fat. If you’re wondering how many pounds I can lose practicing aquagym, think big: 500 calories are expended in just one hour of exercise, so you can lose weight quickly. It should be highlighted that aquafitness is recommended for weight loss because it is even more targeted toward this goal. Even yet, it is preferable, to begin with aquagym for elderly individuals with limited mobility and physical condition.
Aqua-gym works up what muscles? The principal muscular groups that work out are the chest, buttocks, back, abs, arms, shoulders, and all of the legs. In other words, all of the body’s primary muscles are worked.
Improves psychomotor coordination
The foundation of aqua-gym is repetitive but variable movements. This is a cognitive exercise since it requires the brain to coordinate the mind and the body.
Lowers blood pressure
The water’s zero gravity has a beneficial effect on blood circulation as well. Blood pressure is enhanced and reduced as a result. It is advised to do aquagym to assist normalise this typical condition of old age.
The sauna is another exercise option available in gyms that lowers blood pressure. One of the numerous advantages of these historic baths is this.
Promotes breathing
The water’s resistance forces the body to work harder and improves breathing, which boosts oxygen consumption.
Reduces cardiorespiratory diseases and blood circulation
Cardiorespiratory disorders are less likely to occur since aquagym improves circulation and forces the heart to work harder owing to resistance.
Improves flexibility
The elderly person must exert resistance to move in the water during an aqua-gym session. The joints are stretched out and become more flexible as a result.