What is the recommended approach to exercise for older adults?

The recommended approach to exercise for older adults emphasizes the importance of incorporating flexibility, strength, and balance training regularly. This multifaceted strategy helps address several critical aspects of health and fitness that are particularly relevant to older individuals.

Flexibility training enables older adults to maintain or improve their range of motion in joints, which is vital for daily activities and injury prevention. Strength training builds muscle mass and enhances functional strength, which can counteract the natural loss of muscle associated with aging. Balance training is crucial as it helps to prevent falls, a common concern in the older population. By integrating these three components, older adults can improve their overall physical fitness and quality of life, allowing them to engage more fully in daily activities and maintain independence.

The other options lack a holistic approach. Exclusively focusing on high-impact activities can increase the risk of injury and may not address the multifaceted needs of older adults. Performing only aerobic exercises overlooks the importance of strength, flexibility, and balance, which are all essential for comprehensive fitness. Avoiding resistance training entirely is misguided, as appropriate resistance exercises can be safely adapted to fit the needs of older adults, contributing significantly to strength and functional fitness without necessarily leading to injury.