older adults Archives - IDEA Health & Fitness Association

Fitness Class Instructor Marilyn LoPresti

A Fitness Class School of Thought

By Judy Minich / September 13, 2022

Marilyn LoPresti, PhD, has spent nearly four decades in education and has seamlessly transitioned her knowledge to each fitness class.

Power Training for Older Adults

By Shirley Archer, JD, MA / July 5, 2022

Research suggests that power training is linked with a modest improvement in physical function among healthy older adult participants.

Sarcopenia May be Modified at Early Stages

By Shirley Archer, JD, MA / July 5, 2022

Fitness professionals may want to encourage those in their early 60s in particular to train as a preventive measure against sarcopenia.

Help Prevent Negative Effects of Aging

By ... / June 21, 2022

Are you interested in offering a more holistic approach to your clients’ wellness? That’s where MELT comes in as a prime offering to both retain members and create a new offering more appealing to older adults.

Elderly couple walking down stairs to show importance of spatial awareness and proprioception

Spatial Awareness and Proprioception for Older Adults

By Tracy L. Markley / June 13, 2022

Here are some exercises to get older adult clients steady on their feet once more through spatial awareness and proprioception.

Pilates Benefits for Older Adults

By Shirley Archer, JD, MA / May 2, 2022

Mat Pilates benefits for older adults included improved functional mobility, mobility, gait, balance and physical activity.

Light-Intensity Aerobic Dance a Win for Older Adults

By Shirley Archer, JD, MA / April 15, 2022

To help older adult clients move more, promote fun activities like aerobic dance classes, since even one session improves cognitive function.

Benefits of Yoga for Older Adults

By Shirley Archer, JD, MA / March 14, 2022

Yoga for older adults in their 60s and 70s may have a significant positive effect on fitness after 9–12 weeks of practice.

New Insight: Exercise and Brain Health

By Shirley Archer, JD, MA / February 28, 2022

New research findings indicate that physical activity benefits brain health, particularly for older adults.

Peanut Protein Benefits

By Matthew Kadey, MS, RD / January 3, 2022

In combination with resistance training, the intake of supplemental peanut protein positively affects markers of muscle growth and strength.

Older athlete following health education by hydrating

Health Education for Former Elite Athletes

By Shirley Archer, JD, MA / January 3, 2022

Providing health education about the benefits of exercise, good eating habits and other “well-living” parameters can help former athletes.

Functional Fitness For Active Boomers

By Kymberly Williams-Evans, MA / September 22, 2021

Be among the first to learn 3 targeted functional fitness fundamentals for crafting training sessions your over-50 clients will love.

Research-Based Yoga for Seniors

By Pamela Light, MA / September 7, 2021

If you’d like to elevate your fitness services, adding yoga for seniors will set you apart and help your older clients even more.

Man feeling sick and maybe showing early symptoms of infection

COVID-19: Early Symptoms of Infection Vary

By Kate Watson / September 2, 2021

With COVID-19, early symptoms of infection vary among age groups and between men and women. That’s the conclusion of a paper that appeared recently in The Lancet Digital Health. The biggest differences occur between older adults (60 and over) and younger people (16–59 ). However, the first signs of illness also vary between women and men. Researchers from…

Two older adults doing physical activity in later life

Physical Activity in Later Life Still Beneficial

By Sarah Kolvas / August 27, 2021

Inactive people may have a second chance. Increasing physical activity in later life benefits benefits life expectancy, according to a study.

Fall prevention training helps seniors stay active.

Fall Prevention for Older Adults

By Judy Minich / August 24, 2021

Fall prevention is a vital part of functional training for your aging clients. Changes in communication between the nervous and muscular systems as age we are likely to result in a loss of balance, which is a risk factor in the older population. Kyle Stull, DHSc, a content development manager at NASM and an instructor for the Department of Health and Human Performance at Concordia University, offers some practical advice in training clients for fall prevention.

Tai Chi Is Good for Older Adults

By Cody Sipe, PhD / July 8, 2021

Why tai chi? These Chinese movement patterns have been around for centuries. In recent years, study after study has proven their benefits—particularly for older exercisers—yet most fitness professionals seem to know little about the practice. That’s too bad, because just about any fitness client can learn tai chi, and any fitness professional can teach it.…