Sports rehabilitation programmes for the elderly

Several years ago I came across an excellent article written by a group of scientists on the aging process. It was stated quite convincingly that the human being has the potential to live up to 300 years. The fact that nowadays very few on a global scale make it to the age of 100 has been attributed to a number of factors. Among these we may insert inadequate nourishment that may include plenty of junk food as well as lack of physical exercise.

Besides, we may add psychological stress that may come from a variety of worries. Conspicuously harmful to our health are air and water pollution, pesticides in most grocery items, greed that serves to build up needless tension and absence of spirituality in one's life. This explains why we come across people in their 60s or 70s who seem to be in better shape than those in their 40s and 50s. Usually such people eat right and exercise regularly. Besides, they also tend to be spiritual through the habit of practising a number of virtues.

Relative to food, one may eat almost anything except for fried food and anything that is cooked in saturated fat. Also, one must never eat for pleasure but merely for sustenance. There are people who seem to live to eat while others prove to eat merely to survive. Physical exercise is of paramount importance. It could be very enjoyable if it were to take the shape of sports. Spiritual exercise should also be a part of our daily programme. It may be revealed in the practice of virtue such as patience, tolerance, humility, meekness, kindness and generosity.

The practice of yoga, prayer and meditation would enable us to secure calmness of mind that brings with it inner joy and serenity. Unfortunately, most elderly people learn about the importance of physical exercise and of correct eating habits in life when they reach a point of virtual no return. However, it is never late to learn even though it would reveal greater wisdom if we were to start doing things right in life while we are in relatively good health.

Elderly people who relied more on some kind of sport on a regular basis have improved their health better and more effectively than those who relied for their health improvement on prescribed drugs and supplements with minimal physical exercise. By sports I do not mean recreational activities that include sitting on a chair at a table playing cards or relaxing on a sofa watching television. I mean putting your body at work through enjoyable physical activities such as walking briskly with others and having fun that way.

Besides, swimming is viewed as a very good exercise for the elderly where they could use a variety of strokes. This way all the muscles of the body are kept busy. In addition, playing tennis even slowly by simply trying to hit the ball is considered to be a recommendable exercise. Needless to say, getting a good ride on bicycle should be taken seriously into consideration. Ideally, the elderly should use a variety of gym equipment they feel they would enjoy. If, for one reason or another, some elderly cannot make it to a gym, they may try to secure some physical equipment and use it daily at home.

As long as the body keeps physically busy we may create anything conceivable that will enable us to have fun at the same time. Of course, some of the elderly may be bedridden or feel they can hardly move. However, they can always work on machines where they could lift now by their arms and now by the legs some kind of weight. Physical exercise on a daily basis will enable the blood to circulate throughout the entire body, thus preventing the building of residue in the arteries that may later lead to a stroke or a heart attack.

The best exercise for the elderly seems to be walking fast enough as to feel comfortable. From a psychological standpoint it would help immensely if every kind of exercise that is undertaken is viewed as some kind of sport. Several years ago I was watching a television programme on the importance of health fitness. I recall that a 97-year-old man, who was interviewed, could hold his body horizontally on one hand alone and then shifting his entire weight on the other hand. He looked as agile as a 17-year-old. I was deeply impressed.

In view of what has been stated, there is no age that could be designated as elderly. People are as old or young as they really feel, as the status of their health demonstrates to be. We may choose to classify ourselves as elderly if we opt to neglect caring for ourselves both physically and spiritually. Sports rehabilitation programmes the way explained are bound to rejuvenate the elderly and make them feel and even look younger.

Dr Mercieca is president of the International Association of Educators for World Peace (an NGO dedicated to the United Nations' goals of peace education, environmental protection, human rights and disarmament) and professor emeritus of the Alabama A&M University.