In contemporary times, even though moderate exercise is imperative for the elderly according to medical specialists, many older people do not exercise enough. Hence, I will delve into the rationales and solutions to this issue.
The contributing factors of this can be divided into 2 categories, which are external and internal. In terms of the internal factor, as many people have not had the habit of exercising regularly since their youth, they will consequently carry that sedentary lifestyle into the retired era. That is not to mention building a new habit is even harder when people grow old, especially physical-related habits due to declining health. The external reason lies in the unsupportive environment or lack of civil infrastructure for working out, for example poluted air, scarcity of spaces for exercising or paucity of available equipment. While the lack of civil infrastructure fails to provide the elderly with motivation to work out, the contaminated environment raises concerns among people for their respiratory health while taking part in physical activities outdoor.
The recommended measures for this conundrum are corresponding to the two rationales. Should people not have exercise as a part of their weekly routine, it is crucial that they start with light exercises and repeat the same for weeks. By doing this, they are slowly getting themselves used to moving regularly by forming a path in their brain, which will later maintain this habit for the long run according to neuroplasticity. Moreover, the government should establish more publicly accessible facilities for citizens to play sports and train. For instance, in Vietnam, there is a great deal of equipment installed in parks or in the vicinity of lakes for individuals to use, many of whom are from the earlier generations. Not only are these pieces of equipment available at no cost, but they are also non-electrical, thus they do not require energy sources or complicated maintenance.
All in all, it is my conviction that the older people’s insufficiency of exercise stems from the existing sedentary lifestyle from younger ages and the scarcity of supporting environment as well as civil amenities. Hence, it is vital that the elderly engage in working out by beginning with light activities to form the habit and the government invest in publicly accessible facilities for training.