Sixty and Full of "Zip": Aerobics Brings Improved Quality of Life
Over the last several years, "Quality of Life" has been an enormous topic of discussion in relation to health. Quality of Life in terms of health care refers to an individual's emotion, social and physical wellbeing, including their ability to function in the ordinary tasks of living. Alarmingly, Virginian's rate of obesity continues to increase (vaperforms.virginia.gov). One of the Coalition's goals is to improve quality of life, by increasing physical activity. One of the programs that strives to achieve this goal is the Free Aerobics program.
Jean has been participating in the Coalition's aerobics classes for over two years now. She joined on a journey to better health. Throughout her journey, she has been successful in many ways including increasing her bone density, gaining muscle and losing weight. Jean participates in classes that include aerobics, strength training and sculpting. Not only has she improved her physical health but she has improved her overall outlook on wellness and life.
Recently, Jean's daughter treated her to a wonderful vacation on a cruise. While on her cruise, Jean was able to snorkel, kayak, bike, swim in caves and even ride on a zip-line over a rainforest. Jean acknowledged, "It was so cool to be physically able to do those things; how awesome to spend that time with my daughter. Not to mention, I just celebrated my 60th birthday! I'm one of the oldest in our class". Jean's quality of life has improved tremendously through participating in the classes. She is now stronger and more able than she has been in a long time.
Through the free aerobics classes, the Coalition has continued to improve Quality of Life in Martinsville and Henry County. Participants like Jean have been able to spend more time with their family, be caregivers to others, be productive at work, and spend less time within the health care system. One by one, these classes are helping the citizens of Martinsville and Henry County become more physically active and healthier by means that they may not otherwise have the opportunity to take advantage of. The continuation of the aerobics program is critical to have success like Jean. She has been in aerobics for over two years and with the growth rate of new participants it will take several more years to see a movement of success and increase of quality of life across the entire Martinsville and Henry County community.
Getting out of the house to go exercise can be a difficult task, especially for our older residents. Airing Chair Aerobics classes on television has helped many seniors to overcome that barrier.
