Duke University researchers have discovered that exercise is as effective as pharmaceuticals at relieving the symptoms of depression.

The study tracked 156 older patients who were broken into three groups. One group did thirty minutes of exercise three times a week, another group was given anti-depression medication and one group both exercised and took medication. After 16 weeks, the group that exercised showed as much reduction in symptoms as those either of the other two groups.

The patients were followed for an additional six months and it was discovered that those who continued exercising had a much lower chance of having the depression return than those who did not.

“The important conclusion is that the effectiveness of exercise seems to persist over time, and that patients who respond well to exercise and maintain their exercise have a much smaller risk of relapsing,” said lead researcher, Duke psychologist James Blumenthal, who published the results of his team’s study in the October issue of the journal Psychosomatic Medicine.

(Source)

People over 55 now represent 25 percent of all health club members and experts believe that number could go even higher as the baby boomers continue to age.

Marketing to those boomers can be a bit tricky for gyms used to dealing with younger generations.

At age 65, Lillian Doran knows what she doesn’t want from a gym. “I don’t want a place that just caters to the young and thin,” she said. “I don’t want to be around these babies who are a size 2.”

Doran, a petite, fit-looking woman herself, wants a place that makes people her age feel comfortable _ and these days, that’s not so hard to find.

Bally Total Fitness is launching its “Build Your Own Membership” plan which is aimed primarily at baby boomers.

“We’re moving away from that ad that only shows young, beautiful people with a Greek-god physique,” said Jim McDonald, the company’s chief marketing officer.

While seeking to lure boomers, the “Build Your Own” campaign features people from a variety of demographics and is careful not to alienate Bally’s younger members.

The growing population of older American’s has helped propel new gym concepts like “Curves for Women” for which there are now nearly 8,000 locations in the U.S. (Washington Post)

On Monday, Swedish researchers reported that exercising at least twice a week can cut the chances of Alzheimer’s by 60 percent.

Scientists at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden randomly selected 1449 people between the ages of 65 and 79 who had been previously surveyed about their leisure-time physical activity. Original surveys were done in 1972, 1977, 1982, and 1987. Once resurveyed, the researchers found that those who exercised at least twice a week had a 60 percent lower chance of Alzheimer’s than the sedentary group.

Dr Kivipelto states: “These findings may have wide implications for preventive healthcare; if an individual adopts an active lifestyle in youth and at midlife, this may increase their probability of enjoying both physically and cognitively vital years later in life¨.

Source.

Nearly 25% of health club members are over the age of 55. Clubs are waking up to the need to market to seniors differently than they do to their younger members.

At age 65, Lillian Doran knows what she doesn’t want from a gym. “I don’t want a place that just caters to the young and thin,” she said. “I don’t want to be around these babies who are a size 2.”

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Chair aerobics is the ultimate in low-impact aerobics exercises. Its being increasingly utilized to help the elderly stay in shape.

“Remarkably enough,” he adds, “it’s the most frail individuals who benefit the most from exercise. Because they have the most to gain, it’s relatively easy to show the benefits of that improvement. Don’t assume because you’re frail you’re too weak to do some form of exercise.”

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