Growing Stronger: Strength Training for Older Adults

Details

• Personal Author:
  Seguin, Rebecca A. ; Epping, Jacqueline N. ; Buchner, David ; Bloch, Rina ; Nelson, Miriam E.
• Corporate Authors:
  John Hancock Center for Physical Activity and Nutrition ; Gerald J. & Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy ; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) ; National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (U.S.). Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity ; U.S. Department of Agriculture ; Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine
• Description:
  In choosing to read this book, you have taken the first step on a journey toward greater strength and vitality. Growing Stronger was written for you—the older adult who wants to grow stronger, healthier, more active, and more independent. You may be inactive or only mildly active at the moment. You may know that regular exercise is important for your health and well-being and want to get started on a program of physical activity. But you may feel that you don’t have the necessary information. Perhaps you are concerned that because of your age or health problems physical activity may not be safe for you. Or perhaps you have had trouble finding or staying with a suitable program.
  
  This book gives you a safe, simple, and highly effective exercise program based on the principles of strength training. Studies at laboratories around the world have shown that strength training benefits women and men of all ages and all levels of fitness. According to Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General (1996), experts agree that aerobic activities should be supplemented with strength-developing exercises at least twice per week. Strength training requires little time and minimal equipment. And it’s safe, even for people with health problems. The strength training “prescription” featured here— the motivational tips, safety precautions, and specific exercises—was developed at the Nutrition, Exercise Physiology and Sarcopenia Laboratory at Tufts University. Whatever your age, medical condition, or current level of activity, you are likely a perfect candidate for this gentle but powerful program.
  
  This book gives you all the tools you need to succeed in this exciting program. It introduces you to the many advantages of strength training—boosts in strength, energy, and vitality and the role it plays in helping to prevent and treat such chronic diseases as arthritis and osteoporosis. It helps you decide whether these exercises are safe for you or whether you need to consult with your doctor first. It offers a program tailored to your needs, with step-by-step instructions on getting started, staying on track, and growing stronger and healthier as you age. At the end of the book is a 12-week workbook in which you can record and gauge your progress and celebrate your success. The goal of this program is to help you make strength training a lifelong habit. By doing so, you will be on your way to a strong, independent, and vibrant life!
  
  An Important Caution: The Growing Stronger exercise program is based on extensive scientific research. The book contains detailed instructions and safety cautions, and you are urged to read them carefully. If you are under a physician’s care for a medical condition, discuss this program with him or her before you start. Remember that regular medical checkups are essential for your health and well-being. While this book can serve as your guide to growing stronger and becoming more physically active, it cannot replace the advice of a health care professional who knows you personally.
  
  
• Content Notes:
  Publication date approximated from document properties.
• Subjects:
  Aged Exercise Health Promotion Physical Fitness
• Publisher:
  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (U.S.)
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Patient Education Handout
• Place as Subject:
  United States
• Rights:
  Public Domain
• CIO:
  National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP)
• Division:
  DNPA - Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity
• Topic:
  Healthy Living
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  126 pdf pages
• Collection(s):
  Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:1871a6c73f2ac0fa6797545d90fa3847f132f38e6caaa65b19ccc5f799c083329c1a5ed669979ff536f21a00b076325a7d990cad37f69be0f77dca0a702be4ca
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/11447/cdc_11447_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 500.75 KB ]