You probably have never considered it but martial arts for seniors is better than weight lifting. Weight Lifting has always been a recommendation for seniors as it builds strength and helps balance for seniors. However, martial arts like Tai Chi and Qigong may be better for seniors as it not only builds strength it also increases flexibility.

Neil Wagner wrote in the Atlantic …

Martial Arts For Seniors Is Better Than Weight Lifting

 A new study suggests Tai Chi may provide the benefits of strength training without the drawbacks for the heart. 

Tai Chi may be a better exercise option for the elderly than typical exercises are. That’s because typical exercises tend to stiffen arteries, while Tai Chi may make arteries more flexible.

Arterial flexibility – the ability of an artery to expand or contract as blood pressure changes – is an indicator of cardiovascular health. The more flexible the arteries are, the better one’s overall cardiovascular health generally is. Poor arterial flexibility is a predictor of impending heart and circulation problems.

Exercises that improve muscle tone and combat the muscle wasting of aging are often collectively called strength training. They include working with weights, sit-ups and pushups, and swimming. While effective at increasing muscle strength, a number of studies have shown that they also lead to stiffening of major arteries. This is particularly important in the elderly, whose arteries naturally tend to stiffen with age. Exercise that strengthens muscles without stiffening arteries would be preferable. And Tai Chi may fill the bill.

The current study didn’t directly test Tai Chi. What it did was compare the health of two similar groups of people in their 70s, one who had been regularly practicing Tai Chi and one who hadn’t. The Tai Chi group showed greater flexibility in both large and small arteries (by over 40 percent), as well as greater muscle strength in their knee extensors and flexors. They also had lower blood pressure.

This doesn’t show that Tai Chi was the cause of these benefits, but it does hint that Tai Chi can both strengthen muscles and improve arterial flexibility.

Click here to read more about martial arts for seniors

Weight lifting is good for helping seniors gain strength which is very important for seniors. Tai Chi or Qigong also improve strength and has the added benefit of adding flexibility into the mix. On top of that they are both great for stress relief for seniors.

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