Summary
The article aims at determining the rate of physical activity and related medical cost savings among the elderly who are at risk who are involved in a community-based health and wellness program. According to the United States report, the adult populace is projected to rise from 319 million in 2014 to 417 million by the end of 2060 (Towne, Li, Lee, Smith, Han, Quinn & Ory, 2018). Therefore, there is a need to find the best ways of enhancing health. Physical exercise is considered important in promoting health, inhibiting diseases, and reducing the chances of premature death. The confluence of the aging people, increasing occurrence of age-related illness, and growing lifestyle risk dynamics necessitate interventions at various stages. Consequently, numerous measures have been put in place to improve both clinical and behavioral outcomes of the elderly (Towne et al., 2018).
The research used a case and comparison quasi-experimental work to evaluate the transformation of the physical activity of adults about 60 and above years at short and long-term. The program integrated twenty tutoring and physical exercise sessions, which were done twice a week for almost ten weeks. The exploration included nine intervention cluster sites that had eighteen members per conveyance location. Additionally, the investigation incorporated fourteen comparison areas to relate the difference in physical activities (Towne et al., 2018). The examination used the accelerometer to measure the level of workout. The researchers applied the paper survey for people to fill after completion of the program. Notably, the findings indicated an improvement in the degree of physical activity above the assessment group.
My Stance on the Article
The project findings conform to various studies on the impacts of physical exercise in enhancing the health of the elderly individuals. I support the outcomes of the research since it is documented that encouraging physical exercise among the elderly helps to lower possible health risks. For instance, exercise has been found to enhance the self-efficacy of individuals (Ory, Lee, Han, Towne, Quinn, Neher & Smith, 2018). Additionally, an interventions strategy such as the Pilates helps to strengthen the transversus abdominal and pelvic floor muscles.
tThe technique assists in increasing balance and movement of the backbone and promotes stability among the aged, which are essential for their fitness. Moreover, engaging in physical activity promotes the flexibility of the shoulder and hip flexors and lowers the level of body fats, hence, minimizes the risk of chronic disease. Having regular workout lowers the possibility of systolic blood pressure, which is a common disease that mostly affects senior adults (Costa, Schulz, Haas & Loss, 2016). Therefore, involving the elderly in physical activities is significant for their healthy living.
Applicability of the Finding in the Real World
Texercise is among the intervention techniques recommended for the elderly since its physical activity features are mainly designed to be adaptive both to people with minimal and greater movement. The method entails various forms of physical workouts that allow the participant to choose the type of training that best suits them, thereby making it quite applicable. Furthermore, fitness process, such as chair-based systems and exercises that can be performed while standing and holding the back of a chair, can be easily incorporated by the aged (Towne et al., 2018). Indeed, the integration of physical activity among the old adults is attainable because the program can be carried out at one’s schedule.
References
Costa, L. M. R. D., Schulz, A., Haas, A. N., & Loss, J. (2016). The Effects of Pilates on the Elderly: an Integrative Review. Revista Brasileira De Geriatria E Gerontologia, 19(4), 695-702. Retrieved from www.scielo.br/scielo.php?pid=S1809-98232016000400695&script=sci_arttext
Ory, M. G., Lee, S., Han, G., Towne, S. D., Quinn, C., Neher, T.,& Smith, M. L. (2018). The effectiveness of a Lifestyle Intervention on Social Support, Self-Efficacy, and Physical Activity among Older Adults: Evaluation of Texercise Select. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(2), 234. Retrieved from:https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/15/2/234
Towne Jr, S. D., Li, Y., Lee, S., Smith, M. L., Han, G., Quinn, C., & Ory, M. G. (2018). Physical Activity and Associated Medical Cost Savings among At-Risk Older Adults Participating in a Community-Based Health & Wellness Program. PloS one, 13(6), e0198239.