Other benefits of exercise

There is no doubting the fact that daily physical exercise is extremely important for elderly people as it helps to maintain cardiovascular health, boosts mood, and maintains muscle strength and flexibility which in turn helps to prevent falls. Older people who perform regular exercise tend to be more independent, suffer less with depression and have a more robust mental health. One of the best ways to get exercise and remain active is to join a group exercise class. Benefits of group exercise for the elderly are numerous:

1. Confidence: A massive benefit of group exercise is that it encourages you to leave the house which not only keeps you active, but in turn, will build confidence and self-assurance so that you no longer worry about going outdoors.
2. Socialisation: Social engagement with peers is just as important for the elderly as anyone else. So, by joining a group and exercising with others, it reduces loneliness and isolation, and helps counteract depression. It gives you the opportunity to make new friends with people your own age and meet people in a similar situation to you. They will know how you feel and may be experiencing similar difficulties. By chatting after the class and sharing common problems, you will be more successful at overcoming them than dealing with them on your own. In fact, there is evidence to suggest that group exercise activities may be more effective than exercising alone for preventing the progression of frailty, possibly because of the additional social and cognitive benefits.1
3. Diversification: Exercising with others not only gives you extra incentive and motivation, but allows for variety and diversity to be incorporated, whether it be trying something completely new or carrying out assisted exercises where you need a partner to help you.
4. Motivation: Undoubtedly, motivation is one of the most advantageous aspects of training with others. In fact, studies have shown that, no matter your age, individuals are more likely to work out and push themselves harder when they are exercising with others. So, if you are training alongside a very fit person, you will automatically raise your game to be more like them.2 Your competitive side will kick in as you put in more effort to keep up with those around you! In a group setting, encouragement and positive vibes from the coach and other participants will keep you going and spur you on to train harder. The benefits of each exercise will be explained to you, so not only are you learning, but you also have more reason to complete the workout. Your coach will be watching for signs of fatigue and will be able to push you to your limits whilst ensuring your safety.
5. Challenge: When you exercise with others, it challenges you to work beyond your perceived limitations and push past your solo threshold of either intensity or duration of exercise. Your workouts will probably go up a level because according to the Köhler effect, no one wants to be the weakest in the group! Therefore, you will push yourself harder. A study set out to examine this effect and found that those who exercised with a more capable partner were able to increase the time they held a plank for, by 24 percent.3
6. Structure: When exercising alone at home, you may not have the knowledge or skill to plan a properly structured routine. A group setting is a safe environment for doing exercise. Classes can be tailored to your specific needs so that you gain fitness at your own pace under instruction and collaboration with a professional coach who will also offer guidance, support and reassurance. The benefits of each exercise will be explained to you, so not only are you learning, but you also have more reason to complete the session. Your coach will be watching for signs of fatigue and will be able to push you to your limits whilst ensuring your safety.
7. Accountability: If you sign up for a course, chances are you will make good friends who can almost feel like family. So, if you don’t turn up one week, they will be concerned for your well-being and want to know why you weren’t there. By being accountable to a group, you won’t want to let them down. However, this can work to your advantage as it will force you to turn up and exercise more consistently.
8. Endorphins: Perhaps most importantly, you will benefit from the enhanced endorphins produced from all the smiling and laughing you will be doing when you exercise with a great bunch of people! Because, at the end of the day, we all want to have fun!

If group exercise sounds like something that might benefit you and you are interested to find out more, why not contact us:

info@srphysio.co.uk
appointments@srphysio.co.uk
01603-208-238

1. Apóstolo, J et al., 2018 Effectiveness of interventions to prevent pre-frailty and frailty progression in older adults: a systematic review JBI Database System Rev Implement Rep. 2018 Jan; 16(1): 140–232.
2. Plante, T.G et al., 2010 Effects of Perceived Fitness Level of Exercise Partner on Intensity of Exertion Journal of Social Sciences 6 (1): 50-54, 2010 ISSN 1549-3652 © 2010 Science Publications
3. Feltz, Deborah L., Kerr, Norbert L., Irwin, Brandon C. (2011) Buddy up: The Köhler Effect applied to health games. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 33 (4). pp. 506-526.