THIS WEEK IN THE HSI HEALTHIER TALK COMMUNITY "Great Exercise for Seniors" is the title of this Healthier Talk community posting by an HSI member who goes by "djc50": "I came across this exercise suggested for seniors, to build muscle strength in the arms and shoulders. It's so easy, I thought I'd pass it on. "The article suggested doing it three days a week. Begin by standing on a comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side. "With a 5-LB. potato sack in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides, and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, then relax. "Each day, you'll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer. "After a couple of weeks, move up to 10-lb. potato sacks, then 50-lb. potato sacks, and eventually try to get to where you can lift a 100-lb. potato sack in each hand and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute. "Once you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each of the sacks." Here's the question: Is djc50's post intended to simply be funny, or is it good advice with a joke at the end? However he may have intended it, weight training for seniors is actually an excellent idea. Studies have revealed the following weight training benefits: - Reduces the risk of falls and fractures
- Promotes healthy bone density
- Improves insulin sensitivity
- Increases peak oxygen capacity
- Increases exercise capacity
- Reduces the risk of sarcopenia (age-related loss of skeletal muscle)
For more details about the advantages of weight training, see the e-Alert "Muscle Up" (2/12/04), which you can find at this link:
http://www.hsibaltimore.com/ealerts/ea200402/ea20040212.html Other topics being discussed this week in the Healthier Talk community forums include: - Diabetes: Unexplained muscle burning
- Hormones: Hypothyroid, soy and lecithin
- Allergies: Chemical sensitivity web site
- Headaches: Massage therapy for headaches?
- General Health Topics: High blood pressure
- Vitamin Questions: Research backs theory that vitamin C shrinks tumors
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