Sports Injuries and the ElderlyElderly women can benefit by increasing their ability to have the strength to carry items and to physically do daily chores. Regular exercise can improve the quality of life for the elderly. Exercising that includes such sports as golf, and swimming can be easy on the elderly body
The elderly who exercise on a regular basis may even be preventing injury, illness and disease according to Washington Physiatrist Scott Gross, M.D., who regularly has his patients participate in exercise programs in order to increase muscle flexibility and endurance. Elderly women can benefit by increasing their ability to have the strength to carry items and to physically do daily chores. Regular exercise can improve the quality of life for the elderly. Exercising that includes such sports as golf, and swimming can be easy on the elderly body, keep the individual actively engaged in the community and keeps the mind sharp as well. A study done by researchers at the Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands found that individuals into their 70's who participated in sports reduced their risk for developing blood clots by 30% in women and 22% in men. The study showed that individuals who participated in sports at least once a week reduced their risk for blood clots. The elderly are encouraged to participate in sports in Hong Kong, according to a press release dated 2003 by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. In the release it describes elderly taking part in dancing, tai chi, fitness exercise, lawn bowls, and swimming, and also table tennis. As with other age groups, the higher incidence of injuries occurred with the high impact sports.
Lower back pain is a common complaint among seniors participating in mild to moderate sports activities. The elderly are often limited in their athletic performance by the overall decline in maximum cardiac output. The elderly sports participant is also limited by a decrease in lung capacity and a decline in the ability of their lungs to move air into the bloodstream, which has an impact on strength and endurance. We lose muscle mass too as we age which means the muscles are slower to contract and further lessens strength and endurance. The elderly sports participant may react slower due to a marked decline in blood flow to the brain. The sense of balance is also affected as we age. Older athletes are more likely to sustain injuries than their younger teammates. Careful warm-ups can help to prevent injury and proper stretching exercises can also help to reduce the chance for injury.
Elderly individuals who participate in sporting such as running, cycling, climbing, golf and swimming are prone to musculoskeletal injuries, back pain, and shoulder injures. Older cyclist is more prone to upper limb fractures of the wrist, forearm and collarbone as well as shoulder dislocations, sprains, cuts and abrasions. Proper seat height, and wearing padded gloves can help to prevent these cycling injuries. Sports Injury News
02/06/2012 |
