A new study finds that regular exercise by older adults may help speed up the wound-healing process. That’s beneficial, as the faster a wound heals, the less likely it is to become infected.

The study involved 28 healthy older adults aged 55 to 77 who hadn’t exercised regularly for at least six months prior to the study. For the research, about half of the participants exercised three times a week for three months, following a set exercise program. The other participants served as controls and were asked not to change their physical activity habits.

A month after the study began, each subject received a small puncture wound on the back of the upper arm. By then, those in the exercise group had a month to adapt to a regular routine.

Researchers photographed the wounds three times a week until they were no longer visible, which was about six to seven weeks. At the end of the study, they found that skin wounds healed an average of 10 days faster in the people who exercised (29 days in the exercise group versus 39 days in the non-exercise group).

To help promote exercise among older adults, Home Instead Senior Care has published a guide to healthy bones for seniors and family caregivers. Entitled, Beat the Break, the guide shares exercise information and advice for seniors to help them maintain healthy bones.

Exercise is a vital part of healthy ageing and will help elderly people maintain their independence. There are many older people who are literally trapped in the home because they are too weak to perform many of the activities they need to remain independent, or even enjoy life. It is so important seniors do what they can to 'beat the break' and maintain healthy bones.

Please call your local Home Instead Senior Care office for a FREE copy of Beat the Break.