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ACTIVE SENIORS Fitness programs for older adults growing in CT \\ By Karen Ali T he past several decades have brought a sea change in the way doctors think about exercise for aging adults. Many physicians used to be reluctant to tell their older patients to exercise, said Dr. George Kuchel, a geriatrician and director of UConn Health's Center on Aging in Farmington who has been practicing since the 1980s. "We used to say 'You shouldn't focus on exercise in the elderly because it would be harmful,' " Kuchel said "In a nutshell, the field of exercise has changed tremendously." With the help of medical research, more doctors want older patients to remain active. As a result, exercise programs targeted at the elderly have proliferated in retirement homes and gyms across Connecticut and beyond. at has particular significance in the Nutmeg State, as it's in the top one-third of states with the oldest populations. A seminal paper in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1994 — that said high- intensity resistance exercise training is effective at counteracting muscle weakness and frailty in the elderly — changed the way the industry approached the subject. UConn launched its Center on Aging, which caters to those aged 50 and up, soon aer the study was published. Besides the UConn program, other popular exercise plans for the aging include SilverSneakers and Silver&Fit, which are offered through insurance plans, and EnhanceFitness, which is offered at YMCAs in Southington, Naugatuck, Wilton and Cheshire, and is endorsed by the National Council on Aging as "evidence based." It focuses on endurance, strength, balance and flexibility. ere are also trainers who cater to an older clientele. Colin Milner, CEO of the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), an industry association, said that in the last five years there has been a jump in the number of exercise programs cropping up. "e upswing is because businesses have finally realized the boomer's life course is very different than their parent's life course," Milner said. "ey have a hyper focus on wanting to live better and longer." As is the case for almost anyone, the benefits of exercising for the elderly oen go beyond the physical. Exercise can help with depression too, said Mary Root, director of exercise and fitness therapy Mary Root (center) of UConn Health's Center on Aging leads a morning exercise class called "Powerful Aging," which is targeted at seniors. P H O T O \ \ F R A N K B A R T O N 16 GREATER HARTFORD HEALTH • Spring 2017