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Bewegung, körperliche und geistige Mobilität im Alter

Activity, physical and psychological mobility in old age

  • Leitthema: Alter(n) und Gesundheit
  • Published:
Bundesgesundheitsblatt - Gesundheitsforschung - Gesundheitsschutz Aims and scope

Zusammenfassung

Alter und Altern gehen mit einer Reihe körperlicher und geistiger Veränderungen einher. Allerdings sind diese so genannten Alterserscheinungen nicht alle genetisch determiniert oder unwiderruflich, sondern können durchaus zum Teil verzögert, vermieden oder kompensiert und teilweise sogar wieder rückgängig gemacht werden. In diesem Beitrag wollen wir die Plastizität, man könnte auch sagen die Beweglichkeit, des körperlichen und geistigen Alterns aufzeigen und deutlich machen, inwiefern durch einen entsprechenden Lebensstil oder durch gezielte Interventionen die Reservekapazität des alternden Menschen ausgeschöpft und somit positiv auf den Altersprozess eingewirkt werden kann. Am Beispiel körperlicher Aktivität wird verdeutlicht, wie Einfluss auf die physiologische Entwicklung, die kognitive Leistungsfähigkeit, die Langlebigkeit sowie die Entstehung und das Auftreten chronischer Erkrankungen genommen werden kann. Für die geistige Entwicklung wird gezeigt, dass auch diese plastisch ist und entscheidend durch Verhalten und Aktivität – und dies umfasst nicht nur geistige, sondern auch körperliche Aktivität – beeinflusst werden kann. Ein besonderes Anliegen ist es uns, die enge Vernetzung zwischen körperlicher und geistiger Leistungsfähigkeit deutlich zu machen.

Abstract

Old age and aging are accompanied by a number of physical and mental changes. However, these so-called age-dependent processes are not exclusively genetically determined or irreversible but can be partially delayed, prevented, or compensated and some can even be reversed. The goal of this article is to highlight the plasticity, or the “mobility”, of physical and mental aging. We will point out in what respects an appropriate lifestyle or purposeful interventions can positively influence the reserve capacity of aging human beings and the aging process. Using the example of physical activity, we will illustrate how we can influence physiological development, cognitive performance, longevity, as well as the development and the occurrence of chronic diseases. Additionally, it is shown that cognitive development is malleable as well. It is facilitated or debilitated by behavior and activity—this covers not only cognitive but also physical activity. It is our particular concern to demonstrate the close interconnectedness of body and mind.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Jacobs Center for Lifelong Learning and Institutional Development, International University Bremen, Campus Ring 1, 28759 , Bremen

    C. Voelcker-Rehage, B. Godde & U. M. Staudinger

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  1. C. Voelcker-Rehage
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  2. B. Godde
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  3. U. M. Staudinger
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Correspondence to C. Voelcker-Rehage.

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Voelcker-Rehage, C., Godde, B. & Staudinger, U.M. Bewegung, körperliche und geistige Mobilität im Alter. Bundesgesundheitsbl - Gesundheitsforsch - Gesundheitsschutz 49, 558–566 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00103-006-1269-9

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