Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı ISPARTA Aging is an inevitable process. Increased physical activity and regular exercise in the elderly reduces the rate and the magnitude of this physiological deterioration and the subsequent functional decline. Regular exercise in the older adults improves aerobic capacity, muscle strength, flexibility and balance which is needed for functional independence and also improves blood pressure, diabetes, lipid profile, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis and neurocognitive function. The exercise prescription for the elderly should consist of three components: aerobic exercise, strength training, and flexibility and balance. Physicians must inform their older patients about the benefits of exercise; encourage them to maintain an active lifestyle and to do regular exercises; to remove the barriers to exercise; prescribe exercises according to the patient's individual health needs and increase long-term exercise compliance. Keywords : Exercise; Aged, 80 and Over