Physical activity as a leading factor in increasing resistance to aging

The purpose of the study was to analyze professional literature sources devoted to the influence of the role of physical activity in increasing resistance to aging. The impact of physical exercises on increasing the resistance of the elderly to the aging process is considered. Biblio­semantic and analytical methods were used in the study. The analysis of the specialized literature (22 sources) was carried out using information in the scientific-metric databases MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar. Demographic changes and the aging of the world's population require more effective methods of combating the growing prevalence of chronic diseases that make the elderly dependent on drugs and assistance. Physical activity is a representative parameter of a person's health, as it plays an important role in the prevention of diseases, which is why it is necessary to widely promote it among the elderly. There is convincing evidence that physical activity is both a preventive and a therapeutic component of the strategy for preserving health and preventing neuropsychological pathology and disability in the elderly, including syndromes for which pharmacological treatment is either absent or even dangerous. Given that the beneficial effect of physical exercises is general, the inclusion of physical activity in rehabilitation programs is more appropriate and promising than pharmacological intervention, which is aimed at individual body systems. In order to optimize the functional capabilities of weakened elderly people, it is necessary to include in the training program exercises simulating everyday activities. Studies have proven that physical activity also has a positive effect on cognitive functions, promoting cerebral angiogenesis and increasing neurogenesis and cerebral blood flow, reducing the permeability of the blood-brain barrier, and increasing the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the brain. It is emphasized that long-term physical exercises are safe and effective for the elderly, the benefits of physical activity regardless of the place of residence, living conditions, concomitant pathology, physical or cognitive function of the person at the initial level. Keywords: preserving health, training program exercises, cognitive functions, elderly peop­le.