Leading an Active Lifestyle Important for Baby Boomers

Active Adult Living

Baby boomers have often been thought of as the active generation. They are the "think-outside-of-the-box" men and women who make it a habit to stay in shape, but not necessarily by the old tried-and-true methods.

They run, bike, play racquetball and tennis, do yoga, Pilates, climbing, and swimming. They are also heading into their senior years with more physical disabilities than those of previous generations.

A new study in the American Journal of Public Health found that boomers ages 60-69 have more day-to-day disabilities than their elders. They have more difficulty walking up 10 steps without resting, they have more problems doing daily chores, and they even have more trouble with such simple physical tasks as getting dressed in the morning.

According to Silver Cross Hospital orthopedic surgeon, Jason Hurbanek, who has offices at Hinsdale Orthopaedics Associates, although it might seem that leading a more active lifestyle may contribute to wear-and-tear of joints, he is hesitant to explain baby boomers' early disabilities regarding those activities.

"Think of all the benefits you get from doing the activities you like to do," he said. "I would never tell anyone not to be active because it might cause their arthritis to get worse ... It's possible that leading a more active lifestyle could lead to more disabilities, but the effect is not as large as being overweight is." Besides, Hurbanek said, leading an active life builds muscles and bones. Strong muscles can help prevent injuries, and physical activity helps build stronger bones.

Active Adult Living

To keep as physically able as possible going into senior years, Hurbanek recommends maintaining a healthy weight and participating in a fitness program that is best suited to an individual. Find a gym, he said, or a personal trainer, or take up yoga, hiking, biking, or walking with a neighbor. "Then keep up with that program," he suggested. "Keep people around you who will motivate you, and vary your fitness program to keep it from getting old."

For information about Active Adult Communities that promote active lifestyles, visit http://www.trilogylife.com.

Information in this post provided by By Jeanne Millsapp from the Sun-Times Media as printed in the Herald News. For the full story visit
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/heraldnews/lifestyles/1986614,4_5_JO13_BABYBOOM_S1-100113.article