Lesson 2.2: Physiology of Aging

To meet the needs of a wide variety of participants, you will need to adapt your class leadership to the specific group you teach. With our range of classes, you’ll be able to coach participants to try options to best fit their ability. While physical signs of aging may be more, or less present, in the members you serve, we know exercise is a great way to minimize physical degeneration, increase vitality, and help maintain independence. By understanding physical aging and how exercise affects the body, you’ll be able to create a safe and effective experience each time you plan and lead a class.

Generally, with advancing age, body systems eventually demonstrate reduced efficiency. Aging is a process that begins at conception and continues for as long as we live. At any given time throughout our lifespan, the body reflects genetics, or factors that we’re born with, and the environment. Since the physiological signs of aging are unique to everyone, we can refer to common functional consequences that an aging adult may experience.

Aging and the cardiovascular system:

• Heart rate becomes slightly slower, and the heart might become bigger.
• Blood vessels and arteries also become stiffer, causing the heart to work harder to pump blood through them.
• High blood pressure (hypertension) and other cardiovascular problems are common.
• Endurance decreases.

Aging and bones, joints and muscles:

• Bones tend to shrink in size and density which weakens them and makes them more susceptible to fracture.
• The body frame becomes shorter.
• Muscles generally lose strength and flexibility.
• Stability decreases.

Aging and the nervous system:

• Memory might naturally become less efficient with age.
• It might take longer to learn new things or remember familiar words or names.
• Functional skills such as accuracy, speed, coordination and balance decrease.