Executive Director’s Report
Daniel Mulloy | CEO and Executive Director, ARTA
The Danger of a
Sedentary Lifestyle
Inactivity is a silent danger for many people, but
it can become an even larger problem as people
age. Seniors who fail to incorporate physical
activity into their lives are not only missing out on
health benefi ts, but they may actually be putting
their health in danger.
With physical activity having been identifi ed
as the single most important factor that enables
seniors to maintain their independence, living a
sedentary lifestyle puts many older Canadians at
risk. The fallout from physical inactivity hits our
pocketbooks, too: a report from Queen’s University
suggests physical inactivity is costing Canada’s
health care system billions of dollars a year. Study
author Ian Janssen says direct and indirect costs
related to physical inactivity reached approximately
$6.8 billion in 2009, or about 3.7 per cent of all
health care costs. Janssen says lack of physical
activity can cost the system as much or more than
smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity.
From keeping joints mobile to improving
overall mood, seniors may especially benefi t from
exercise and making a point to keep moving every
day. Some seniors fi nd this to be challenging as
age-related issues and health conditions make it
hard to stay active.
Following are just a few ways that a sedentary
lifestyle can be incredibly dangerous for a senior:
• Higher Chance for Depression — The
mood-improving eff ects of physical activity and
exercise have been proven to occur in people
of all ages, which means that it may be even
more important for seniors who are prone to
6 | arta.net
“ The human body is not designed to be
sedentary.”
— STEVEN MAGEE
depression or are experiencing memory issues
to stay active.
• More Diffi culty With Activities of Daily Living
(ADL) — The body begins to lose lean muscle
mass when it is not getting enough regular
physical activity, which can lead to even more
diffi culty performing ADLs. Dressing, bathing,
and eating are just a few examples of ADLs that
could be impacted by a sedentary lifestyle.
• More Rapid Bone Loss — Older adults are at
a much higher risk of experiencing bone loss.
When they also live a very sedentary lifestyle,
even more bone loss may occur or occur more
rapidly. Maintaining an active lifestyle cannot
only improve overall strength, it can also
encourage bones to stay strong and healthy.
• Greater Risk of Type 2 Diabetes — The human
body does not process sugar properly when
muscles are not used after eating. This kind of
inactivity raises blood glucose levels that can
then lead to type 2 diabetes.
For all seniors, physical activity is an important
part of a fall-prevention strategy. Exercise
programs that promote balance training
combined with strength and fl exibility have been
shown to be eff ective in signifi cantly reducing
falls and the injuries resulting from falls.
One of the myths about activity and aging is that
people feel that they are too old to start exercising.