Research findings recommend we do 30 minutes of moderate physical activity (such as brisk walking) at least five days a week.
Only 39% of men and 29% of women are currently managing this. In addition less than one in five of over 65’s have sufficient leg strength to get out of a chair unaided (use of their arms or someone to help), and a staggering 8.2billion a year is spent in the UK on the costs associated with inactive people.
 Regular exercisers’ are 20-50% less likely to be affected by serious illness including heart disease, strokes (by 27%), some cancers (colon by 25%, breast by 21%), high blood pressure by 50%! and type two diabetes by 30%.
 Regular exerciser’s reduce their risk of premature (below the average) death from all causes by 20-30%.
 An inactive person will spend 37% more days in hospital than those who are active.
 Inactive people visit their GP’s 5.5% more and need 12% more nursing care.
So the argument for increasing physical activity is undeniable. Over the next few articles we will look at what is the best exercise, how much you really need to do and how to include it in your weekly routine so that it isn’t onerous and can be maintained for life.
As the goal, exercise needs to be about improving health and what’s called functional capacity. Weight loss as we have seen in previous articles is biased towards diet and caloric intake where the biggest effects occur. Clearly a combination is ideal, but a key message for maintaining exercise is “enjoy physical activity for its own sake”.
As the statistics show exercise keeps us healthy but what’s not always appreciated is that exercise keeps us moving! We don’t have to slow down, become inactive and lose the ability to pick up shopping, lift suitcases or ride bikes or jog in the park…we simply have to exercise(train) to do those things. Numerous studies have seen 70, 80, 90% increases in the strength of older inactive people who take up exercise and find they can re-do much of the functional and sporting activities they had lost the ability to do. It’s also not uncommon to hear of people cut down (or in some cases total out) some of the medications they were on and ‘reverse’ the effects of inactivity…especially regards joint health, blood pressure and cholesterol.
Two systems are largely in play when we talk about exercise, the musculo-skeletal system (muscles, bones and all that connects them) and the cardiovascular system (the heart, lungs and blood vessels).
Controlling both of these is the nervous system (the brain and all the nerves) and delivering nutrients is the job of the blood (in concert with the organs).
I really do understand how important exercise is to my health, and I try to swim regularly. However,I would be able to go to an exercise class, but find this is not possible because all classes involve bouncing from one leg to the other. Does no exercise tutor realise that those of us who suffer from arthritis in the hips and knees cannot do this, however good the trainers we wear might be. I can usually last for 3 sessions and then I am in so much pain I cannot continue. There must be a way that I can still exercise and do something a little more challenging than chair-based exercise? Anyone with any ideas?
I totally agree with all that is said about exercise for the over 50's 60's 70's and for as long as your body allows it. Not only doe;s it keep phyical illness's at bay it greatly helps people who may be depressed, Any one suffering fron S.A.D during the winter months can greatly help themselves by going for a lunch time walk when the daylight is at its brightest, just try it and see for yourself.
I am 72 and next year hope to do the rift valley challenge in Tanzana so with a lot of hard work to get to peak condition during the next 12 months I will do it. any oldie want to join me ?