Although as we get older we begin to notice the deterioration of our joints and feel that we have less and less energy, exercising, such as running, is beneficial for our health, and will help us on our path to old age. Thinking that running is an activity that can only be practiced when you are young is a common mistake. More and more older adults are choosing running as a physical activity because it makes them feel good.
What benefits does running have in the elderly so that it has more and more followers?
First of all, it increases the feeling of well-being. In addition, it helps us maintain an adequate body weight, reducing the proportion of body fat, helping us control the level of lipids and sugars in the blood, and reducing the risk of developing some pathologies such as heart disorders, diabetes and hypertension.
It also helps us improve our psychological health in general, strengthening our self-esteem, improving the image we have of our body, reducing the risk of suffering from depression and promoting the release of endorphins, substances directly involved in emotional well-being and happiness.
But the main benefit it provides to older people is that it reduces and delays cognitive deterioration, since it stimulates neuroregeneration.
However, older people should have a series of considerations before embarking on this exercise:
Go to our family doctor and explain that we want to start running. This will give us a general physical examination, evaluate our health and explain to us if we have any limitations in performing it or if we should take into account any considerations. In addition, we must undergo subsequent evaluations with that same doctor.
Follow a basic guide to know where you should start.
Make sure you have the appropriate sports clothing to carry out this activity. We must pay special attention to footwear, and let ourselves be advised by professionals.
It is important to have nutritional guidance. It is best that you go to a nutritionist who can carry out a complete evaluation and tell you the nutritional plan that you should follow, and that will be the most appropriate taking into account the physical activity that you are going to develop.
Hydration is essential when we play sports, and it is essential to know how we should hydrate ourselves before, during and after exercise.
As you can see, running is an increasingly common practice in the elderly due to the multiple benefits it has for health, but we must not forget to take into account a series of considerations before practicing it.
