Essential exercises to maintain physical attributes and appearance

Priority list is as follows in no particular order of importance as all are interrelated and form the framework on which to build a positive physical profile into late middle and old age.

Strength. This is the touchstone as without it everything else becomes unattainable.
Strength in this context means maintaining and improving our current strength as opposed to mere muscle building with no specific aim in mind other than cosmetic.We can leave the cosmetic aspects for the younger set. In later and older age we still require a reasonably high level of strength to enjoy life in all its aspects.

Mobility. This can be linked with strength which must be our first priority. Mobility is the reward if you will for our efforts in maintaining our strength level.
Mobility takes on a much more important role the older we get especially as we strive to maintain our independence.


Flexibility. This is also essential and is largely up to us to maintain and improve in our later years as often this attribute along with strength are the first to show signs of deterioration unless we take active steps to both maintain and improve.


I would term the 3 attributes previously mentioned as being foremost and indeed critical to any meaningful attempt at a physical maintenance program. To a large extent one is dependent on the other and the absence of any single one will be the weak link leading to failure.


Other essential factors that all lead in some way from the aforementioned.

Balance. essential in late and old age.
Posture. Also of increasing importance especially in women suffering osteoporosis but also of general importance as the natural tendency in old age is the tendency of shrinking and stooping to a degree which we must continually fight against by keeping a straight back with head erect.
Our legs and our backs are the keys to mobility in later life but this requires active efforts to keep both in as good a shape as possible. If either one breaks down its stifles our efforts to improve our strength and mobility and makes our independence that much more unlikely.
There are many simple exercises designed to protect our legs and back the simplest being walking for our legs and keeping an upright posture for our backs. Sounds simple but then most things are it is only us that make them complicated.