Physical Activity in Aging
Chapter from the book:
Cengiz Açıl,
H.
(ed.)
2023.
Health Sciences Research: Nursing and Midwifery.
Synopsis
Increasing average human life expectancy results in a rapidly growing aging population in our societies, and lifestyle changes including weight loss and physical exercise have a major impact in correcting metabolic anomalies, improving cardiovascular health and delaying premature aging. Aging is a multifactorial process that leads to physical, psychological, and health-related declines associated with a variety of chronic conditions. Physical activity is any bodily movement that results in increased energy expenditure and can be accomplished through a variety of leisure, work, or transportation-related activities. Physical activity improves both diseased and disease-free life expectancy and the healthy life expectancy (healthy life expectancy) of the elderly. Therefore, promoting high levels of physical activity should be considered a powerful tool to delay premature aging.