Geriatric Deconditioning
April 11, 2022
The Dangers of Deconditioning
At the height of the pandemic, health and safety took center stage as people embraced the "Stay Home, Save Lives" campaign. And while that directive was necessary because of the initial unknowns about the spread of COVID-19 and the variants that followed, another issue has cropped up as a lingering effect of such self-imposed isolation. A new trend reflects a decline in physical function, or deconditioning, for individuals starting to resume their pre-pandemic lifestyles, and this trend is especially prevalent in older folks.
The time has come to face what some are calling the "second pandemic" – the deconditioning pandemic. After almost two years of limited activity and less frequent interaction with others, many older Americans are noticing a decline in physical conditioning and mobility. As reported in the New York Times, these observations are in line with the findings of a recent University of Michigan survey regarding the activity level of a sampling of 50 to 80-year-old individuals. Almost 40 percent of those surveyed, although not asked about their COVID status, reported "reduced physical acitivity and less daily time spent in their feet since the start of the pandemic in March 2020" – factors that are often precursors to falls and fear of falling because of the decrease in strength and balance.
So, short of seeking physical therapy or occupational therapy services, what can you do? The best advice is to find what "moves" you to get moving and stay moving. Catherine Spath, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at Mercy Medical Center, emphasizes the importance of daily exercise and strength training, even if it's a walk around the block or using light (2-3 pound) weights.
If you're interested a more rigorous exercise program, Dr. Spath underscores the importance of safety and taking the proper precautions when working with certain machinery or equipment. "As with all athletic activity, be sure to do proper warm-ups, cool downs, stretching before and after activity, including stretches for old injuries too," she said. "I would also encourage patients to maintain general good health, by eating right, staying hydrated, avoid smoking and excessive alcohol intake as that all plays a factor in overall good health."
Before beginning any exercise program, it is always wise to check with your primary care physician to assess your current physical condition and determine if you should take any specific precautions. If you don't have a primary care physician, you can find one using the button below.
The bottom line is that individuals can always improve their strength and mobility. It just takes time, effort, and patience," said Dr. Spath.