Self-Study Training Module 3Sponsored by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture Rural Health and Safety Education Grant: 2010-2012: (Grant # 2010-46100-21841); 2012-2013: (Grant # 2012-46100-20145)

DEVELOPED BY:Sarah L. Francis PhD, MHS, RD

Assistant Professor/State Nutrition Extension and Outreach SpecialistDepartment of Food Science and Human Nutrition

 Jennifer Margrett, PhD

Associate ProfessorDepartment of Human Development and Family Studies

 Warren D. Franke, PhD

ProfessorDirector, The Exercise Clinic at ISU

Department of Kinesiology  

Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA

 2012

Older Adults & Physical Activity• Benefits

• Safety Concerns

• Strategies to Ensure Safety

Benefits of Physical Activity

Benefits of Physical Activity

Physiologic Changes With Age100

Perc

ent C

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e

20 30 40 50 70 80

Age (Years)

60

80

60

BMR

HRmax

Bone Mass

CV Fitness

Strength

Vital Capacity

Benefits of Physical Activity

55-64 years 65-74 years 75-84 years 85 years and older

Walking ¼ mile Standing 2 hours Carrying 10 lbs.Stooping or bending

Percentage of older adults who had at least some difficult walking one-quarter of a mile, standing for 2 hours, stooping or bending, and carrying 10 pounds by age. (United States, 2000 – 2003)

Schoenborn et al., Advance Data from Vital and Health Statistics (CDC) #370, 2006

Perc

ent

0

20

40

60

80

Total number of respondents = 39,990; age 55+

Age (y)

1200Ph

ysic

al A

ctiv

ity(k

cal/d

ay)

1000

800

600

20 30 40 50 70 8060

Benefits of Physical Activity

Benefits of Physical Activity

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

40

60

80

100

120Ph

ysio

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of p

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Sedentary Person

Age (y)

Active Person

Benefits of Physical Activity

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

40

60

80

100

120Ph

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Active Person

Sedentary Person

Age (y)

Older Adults and Physical Activity• Benefits

• Safety Concerns

• Strategies to Ensure Safety

Safety Concerns• Be mindful of:

• Pre-existing conditions (such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, balance)

• The relative fitness level of participants

• Remind participants to stop immediately if they begin experience any chest discomfort or trouble breathing

Older Adults and Physical Activity• Benefits

• Safety Concerns

• Strategies to Ensure Safety

Know where the phone is and call 9-1-1!

Strategies to Ensure Safety1. Have participants talk to their health care

provider before joining

2. Always watch the participants

3. Ensure a safe exercise room

4. Encourage fun but discourage competition

5. Encourage a buddy system

Strategies to Ensure Safety• If a participant is not feeling well or has a

physical complaint, then ask them not to exercise until they are feeling better and consider talking to their health care provider.

• Use common sense – if they have difficulty with an activity, then either ask them not to do it or change the activity.

For more information…• Read Chapter 4 in the LIFE Program

manual

Preparing for Training Workshop• Complete all self-study modules

• Read the entire LIFE Program manual

• Wear loose fitting comfortable clothing. You will be taking part in the exergaming and interactive game activities.