Studies of the effects of exercise on older adults have shown that many physical problems that people think are inevitable with old age are rather the results of inactivity.

According to the President's Council on Physical Fitness, about 25% of the population of the United States are physically inactive. Studies have shown that inactivity only increases with age: by age 75, about one in three men and one in two women do not engage in any kind of physical activity.

Adapting exercise programs for older adults:

While many older people are capable of participating in exercise programs, many avoid them due to specific health conditions that they assume prevents them from participating. However, if the exercise instructor, health professional, or older person themselves incorporates some modifications or precautions, exercise can be enjoyed by almost anyone.

Reference: AgeWorks.com; under the direction of the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology.