A Greenwood woman is proving it's never too late to start exercising. Barbara is about to turn 89. She is an outstanding example of someone determined to pick up an exercise program and compete in it at a later age.
Barbara began competing in swimming when she was 68 years old. She said the sport helped her tremendously 11 years ago when her husband passed away.
She has set records and garnered numerous awards, with a goal of swimming until she's 100.
Meet her in this WIS-TV Health U new story, and also hear from a Lexington Medical Center physician about the importance of exercising in older age.
Dr. Kelli Savia of Lexington Family Practice White Knoll, a Lexington Medical Center physician practice, says the more consistent you are with exercise the better - and applauds Barbara's efforts.
According to Dr. Savia, consistent exercise is decreasing Barbara's risk for cardiovascular disease, neurological disorders and dementia, and also decreases her fall risk because she's building up her muscles.
While Dr. Savia says to never do more than your body can take, anything you can do can be lifesaving.
Dr. Savis is especially a fan of seniors adding stretching.
"We use our bodies so much throughout the day and all of our muscles compensate," she said. "It's important that we stretch them so that they work for us tomorrow."
