H Meusel | PubMed Health

PubMed2000

[Basic principles of exercise therapy in geriatric rehabilitation].

Physical therapy can support geriatric rehabilitation in contributing to better health status, mobility, and quality of life. However, the central focus of this contribution is not on illness-specific aspects of physical therapy but on power and stamina training. These two training methods are of special importance for geriatric rehabilitation since most patients are admitted due to related problems and these two methods do imply specific risk factors for the rehabilitation process. The spectrum of physical adaptation processes supported by power and stamina training is described and scientifically evaluated. Even in higher age groups positive training effects are possible. Adequate usage of these training methods contributes to increased competence and a minimization of risks in daily life.

Aged↗

PubMed1984

Developing physical fitness for the elderly through sport and exercise.

For maintaining and developing motor mobility in old age motor activity is essential. We can take from the phylogenesis and ontogenesis of the human being how important physical activity is for personality development and for maintaining physical fitness in old age. Many phenomena, which have so far been thought to be due to natural consequences of the ageing process, can now be traced back to lack of physical activity. These findings are illustrated by examples referring to the most important subsystems of our organism (such as the central nervous system, the cardiovascular system, etc.). To keep these subsystems and with them our organism as a whole functioning as well as possible, we must improve their specific adaptability through sports and exercise. Sports and exercise for the elderly as well as gymnastics for senior citizens should therefore adequately improve co-ordinative skills, the ability of the muscles to relax, joint flexibility, muscle strength, endurance, vegetative adaptability, stress tolerance, controlling body-weight, and resistance to infections.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Motor activity--healthy development--aging successfully?].

Human science has re-discovered the human body. We hardly realize, however, how much a person really depends on his body. This article intends to make evident how the close relationship between motor activity, feeling, thinking, and social behavior can be utilized for the healthy development of young people and for keeping fit and healthy in old age. Examples from the fields of therapy and rehabilitation illustrate the working of motor activity when there are physical, psychic, and social deficiencies. If sports for the elderly is practiced in order to improve the process of successfully aging, we have to reconsider this subject, and we must integrate sports for the elderly into health routines. This will challenge physical education teachers and exercise program directors and they should prepare for the future.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Suitability of various kinds of sports and exercises for the elderly].

This study is based on the experience of a two-year training course with fifty adults between the ages of sixty and eighty-six. 5,000 scientific publications were evaluated. The following sports were examined: callisthenics, hiking, golf, skittles, bowling, curling, games, jogging, cycling, rowing, swimming, alpine skiing, long-distance skiing, dancing, and tennis. The sports will be judged as to their suitability from four standpoints: improvement of physical fitness and motor skills, increase in well-being and maintaining mobility. With each sport conclusions will be drawn as to the method of physical education for different groups: senior sportsmen, older people doing sports only occasionally and older beginners.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Development and preservation of locomotor ability in the aged].

For maintaining and developing motor mobility in old age motor activity is essential. We can take from the phylogenesis and ontogenesis of the human being how important physical activity is for personality development and for maintaining physical fitness in old age. Many phenomena, which have so far been thought to be due to natural consequences of the ageing process, can now be traced back to lack of physical activity. These findings are illustrated by examples referring to the most important subsystems of our organism (such as the central nervous system, the cardiovascular system etc.). To keep these subsystems and with them our organism as a whole functioning as well as possible, we must improve their specific adaptability through sports and exercise. Sports and exercise for the elderly as well as gymnastics for senior citizens should therefore adequately improve coordinative skills, the ability of the muscles to relax, joint flexibility, muscle strength, endurance, vegetative adaptability , stress tolerance, controlling body-weight, and resistance to infections. Training plans for the elderly should include as wide a range of abilities and skills and as great a variety of activities as possible. In this way physical activity will be most efficient as a means of prophylaxis against premature deterioration of motor performance in old age, it will maintain motor mobility, which enables us to lead an independent life. By gaining new experience older people will increase their well-being and improve the quality of their life.

Adult↗