The National Institute on Aging's Updated Exercise Guide

By Richard Shank

In 1998, the National Institute on Aging published Exercise: A Guide from the National Institute on Aging. Because of ongoing research into the benefits of exercise for older adults, the organization recently published an updated version on their website. The goal of this guide is to promote exercise and physical activity, even among older adults who feel they have physical limitations.

The online version of the guide leads you through a step-by-step process designed to ease older adults into new exercise routines. It begins by providing information to help older adults prepare for physical exercise by suggesting exercises and self-assessments, as well as other necessary precautions to consider prior to beginning a new workout routine. It then leads the reader through sample workout routines that include endurance, flexibility, strength, and balance exercises; and concludes with a healthy eating guide and tips for sustaining exercise routines over the long term.

For more information, see the guide at: www.nia.nih.gov.

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