What type of exercise can improve cardiovascular health in seniors?

The correct choice emphasizes aerobic exercises, which are specifically designed to enhance cardiovascular health. These types of exercises—such as walking, swimming, cycling, and dancing—engage large muscle groups and elevate heart rate over an extended period. This sustained effort strengthens the heart muscle, improves circulation, and enhances the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.

Aerobic exercises also provide additional benefits that are particularly important for seniors. They can help manage weight, reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, improve mental health, and enhance overall functional capacity. Given that seniors may face limitations with certain types of intense or high-impact workouts, aerobic exercises are typically more accessible and easier to perform while still providing significant cardiovascular benefits.

While yoga can improve flexibility and balance, its primary focus is not cardiovascular conditioning. Plyometric exercises are high-intensity and can be too strenuous for many seniors. Isometric exercises, on the other hand, involve contracting muscles without movement and are not effective for raising the heart rate in the same way that aerobic exercises do. Thus, aerobic exercises stand out as the most effective choice for improving cardiovascular health in seniors.