What Happens to Our Joints As We Age?

An illustration showing the differences between a normal, healthy joint, a joint affected by osteoarthritis, and one affected by rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis becomes more common as we age – about 27 million people in the U.S. have osteoarthritis, a condition in which the cartilage between the joints breaks down, causing stiffness, pain, and loss of movement in the joints. One of the best ways to manage osteoarthritis is to stay active and maintain a healthy weight. Lack of movement contributes to stiffness and weak joints. Exercises include those for range of motion and flexibility, endurance, and strength.

What Happens to Bones As We Age?

Illustration shows normal bone density and weakened bone affected by osteoporosis.

As we age, bone density decreases as well and can lead to osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones become fragile and weak, and are more prone to fractures. More than 40 million Americans have or are at risk for osteoporosis, and it is more common in women than in men. Exercise can increase bone strength and density. Weight-bearing activity in particular is useful as this causes the bones to work harder. Strength training as well strengthens muscles and helps strengthen bones.

What Happens to Balance As We Age?

A woman balances and practices Tai Chi.

As we age, balance decreases and falls can lead to fractures. The National Institutes of Health estimates more than one-third of people over the age of 65 fall each year, often resulting in injuries such as hip fractures which are a major cause of surgeries and disability among the elderly. Balance and strength exercises can help maintain balance and reduce the risk of falling.

What Happens to Flexibility As We Age?

A senior woman does stretching exercises on the floor.

Along with muscle mass and endurance, flexibility also decreases as we age. But like strength and endurance, flexibility too can be improved. Increased flexibility allows for more freedom of movement and greater range of motion. Areas to pay attention to are the neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles.

What Happens to Endurance As We Age?

A senior couple on a walk through the countryside.

Just as muscle mass declines with age, so does endurance. The good news is that the body also responds to endurance fitness training such as walking. Any activity that increases heart rate and breathing for an extended period is considered endurance exercise. In addition to walking, swimming, cycling, dancing, and tennis are all endurance activities.

What Happens to Muscles As We Age?

A senior man works out with weights in the gym.

As we age, muscle mass decreases. Between the third and eighth decades of life, we lose up to 15% of our lean muscle mass, which contributes to a lower metabolic rate, as we get older. Maintaining muscle strength and mass helps burn calories to maintain a healthy weight, strengthens bones, and restores balance.

Ilona Williams

“I have mild osteoarthritis in my left arm and knee. I find that the Seniorfit60+ exercise program is so beneficial in helping with this because the movements are mild to moderate. There are other benefits as well like working on blood circulation and more. And all this to great music! Any senior would thoroughly enjoy this class.
Give it a try!”

Van Ma na dogter – 32 jaar se genotvolle oefening

“In 1984 het my Mammie, Beppie van de Linde, as een van die eerste lede in Parow (Wes-Kaap) aangesluit en wel by klasse van Instruktriese Ria Maritz.
Sy was toe 69 jaar oud en het ‘n baie aftiewe lid gebly tot en met 1999.
Die groepie was baie bedrywig nie net met saaloefeninge nie maar hulle het die klub verteenwoordig op vele dorpsfeeste asook by verskeie  privaat geleenthede waar hulle dan gevra is om op te tree.

In 2003 is my mammie oorlede en in 2004 het ek aangesluit en was Ria Maritz nogs steeds die instruktriese tot 2018 toe sy die leisels oorgegee het aan haar skoondogter,  Juliana Le Roux Maritz.
Daarna oefen Ria nou saam met ons onder Juliana se uitstekende leiding.

Met die Corona Pandemie het Juliana daarvoor gesorg dat ons weekliks visuele oefeninge gekry het.
Die ontelbare voordele van ons programme is wat verstand en liggaam nie net in balans bring nie maar ons beslis fiks en gesond hou.

Tydens die pandemie het ek ‘n ernstige bekkenbeenonsteking ontwikkel en volgens my dokter was my volkome vinnige herstel grootliks te danke aan die oefeninge wat ons doen.

Die feit dat lede nou eers op ouderdom 90 hul erelid- sertifikate kan ontvang dui daarop dat die groot getal 80 plussers, waarvan ek self nou een is, nog aktief oefen.

Ten laaste, tussen my Mammie en myself lê daar nou tenminste al 32 jare van heerlike aktiewe deelname.
My hartlike dank aan al die betrokkenes en Voorspoed vir die jare vorentoe.”

Coby van de Linde

Judith Barnard

“Die oefeninge beteken baie vir my emosioneel. Ek woon alleen en by oefeneningklasse sien ek mense en bou vriendskappe.”

Myra Ludik

“Ek woon klasse by vanaf 2013. Eers in Hartbeespoort tot 2016, daarna in Bellville se klas. Ek het die klas begin bywoon na ek uit die hospitaal gekom het en dit het my hele lewe verander. Ek het meer energie en voel n beter mens, fisies en psigies. Ek kan dit vir enigeen aanbeveel. Juliana is baie bekwaam en behulpsaam.
Dis die beste besluit wat ek ooit geneem het. Ek sal daarmee aanhou solank ek kan, dankie Juliana.”