Ageless Energy: Functional Aging through Movement
- Jaxon Sherman
- Jul 20
- 2 min read
Staying active as you age is important to maintaining independence later in life. Adopting healthy habits at any age will help to improve quality of life. Exercise is one of the foundations of healthy aging.
Regular walking, chair exercises, resistance bands, or training functional movement patterns can help to maintain strength. Movement is the first step towards recovering from an injury, lowering the risk of falling, and living longer without disability. Managing stress, sleeping well, and nutrition also play a role in functional aging.
Group exercise can play a role in managing stress and maintaining strength. If you have strength and mobility issues, having professional guidance can help you develop proper form or suggest modifications to movements that work better with your body. There's also the opportunity to create new friendships and combat loneliness while engaging with like-minded people.
Protein intake in addition to physical movement is beneficial to preventing frailty. Loss of muscle mass is linked to altered endocrine function, chronic disease, inflammation, insulin resistance, and nutritional deficiencies. As we age, the body requires more protein to achieve the same muscle building response. Research suggests that 1.2 g to 2 grams of protein/ kg of body weight/ day helps older adults to prevent muscle loss. For a 150 lb adult that is 85-145 grams of protein daily. Greek yogurt, chicken breast, canned tuna, eggs and egg whites, or an unflavored whey protein supplement can be added to meals to help you achieve your daily protein requirements.
Whether you are a seasoned veteran or just starting on your fitness journey, everyone needs a friend to workout with. Coach Lawrence’s Functional Aging and Systematic Training (FAST) class is a great fit for aging adults looking to improve their balance, mobility, flexibility, and strength through movement. Classes are Tuesday and Thursday at 10:30 AM. The FAST class is eligible for UnitedHealthcare’s Renew Active program. We hope to see you there!
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