Stay Strong, Stay Healthy
Jan 02, 2019
Improving sleep, relief from arthritis, reducing falls and restoring balance…maintaining health and wellness as you age doesn’t require a magic pill; it is as simple as committing to a regular strength-training routine. Research has found that lifting weights two to three times weekly can significantly reduce age-related muscle loss and counteract the effects of many chronic diseases and conditions.
Strength training may sound intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Simple exercises can make a big difference in maintaining muscle mass and strength in adults, particularly those over the age of 69. A new opportunity is available in Cowley County to guide older adults through these exercises and help them incorporate regular strength training into their daily lives.
Healthways of William Newton Hospital is once again partnering with K-State Research and Extension to provide a strength-training opportunity to older adults in Cowley County. Stay Strong, Stay Healthy is an eight-week program for those who want to improve their quality of life and stay active. The program will begin the week of January 14 with sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.
Participants in Stay Strong, Stay Healthy meet for one-hour sessions, twice a week for a total of 16 sessions. The guided warm-up exercises, strengthening exercises and cool-down stretches are designed to help participants increase strength and improve balance. Becky Reid, K-State Research and Extension agent, is certified to teach the course which was modified by University of Missouri from an original program designed by Tufts University.
Muscle strength and mass decrease as we age, beginning as early as our mid-thirties. Without intervention, this age-related loss of muscle mass, known as sarcopenia, will account for about a 15 percent reduction in muscle mass between your thirties and eighties.
Because it occurs gradually, it often isn’t noticeable at first. Many adults find that by the time they have reached their seventies they are no longer able to do many of the physical activities they once did. Fortunately, engaging in a few strength-training exercises two times a week can have a significant impact on sarcopenia. Stay Strong, Stay Healthy will guide participants in learning these important strength-training exercises to help increase strength and maintain muscle mass.
To register for Stay Strong, Stay Healthy, contact Healthways of William Newton Hospital at 620-222-6262 or K-State Research and Extension Cowley County at 620-221-5450. The class fee is $20 and advanced registration is required.****
Posted in In The News on Jan 02, 2019