If you’d like to know more about the buzzwords “active ageing” and what it means – read on! It’s the concept of enhancing opportunities to enable people to be active, happy and healthy later in life. Exercising into your latter years has numerous health benefits. In fact, one study found that those who engage in at least three hours of recreational sport a week for 10 years between the ages of fifty and sixty could increase the life expectancy of formerly sedentary individuals.
Julie Robinson, optimal ageing expert and founder of fitness initiative, Move It or Lose it, explains. “People are living longer than ever before and because of this, attitudes towards ageing are changing. It is no longer expected that you slow down in your later years. And, in fact, the opposite is now being promoted. It’s great to see such a positive shift in messaging and with musculoskeletal conditions being the leading cause of disability in the UK, it’s never been more important for people to prioritise joint health and keep active at any age.” Hormonal Changes Although numerous studies have concluded that physical activity is a key contributor to longevity, you should ensure you’re exercising in accordance with your age and ability. A routine which worked in your twenties may no longer be suitable. So what exactly should someone over the age of fifty be doing to keep fit? Whilst younger adults often go straight into high-intensity workout routines which can run the risk of injuries, older adults have a natural decline in bone health and muscle mass. There’s also hormonal changes for women to contend with. Unfortunately, many women find their joints suddenly become stiff and painful during perimenopause and menopause, which inevitably deters a natural desire to keep fit. Interestingly, joint pain affects as many as 40% of all menopausal women and joint stiffness is the most common contributor to impairment of quality of life and work in women of a menopausal age. Active Ageing Julie Robinson comments: “Joint pain may not subside when hormones level out after the menopause. But there are many lifestyle changes that can help ease the pain and prevent it from getting worse. Commonly affected joints include the knees and hips so be sure to implement some specific exercises to support these areas. Walking is a great low-impact exercise which supports both the knees and hips. Walking helps to keep the joints flexible and strengthens the surrounding muscles.” Julie also recommends tailoring your fitness routine to incorporate both low-impact exercises and strength training. “If you’re over fifty, try to tailor your exercise regime to accommodate for natural changes in joint health. I’d even recommend adding in gentle strength training to help build up lost strength from an age-related decrease in muscle mass. Weights can often feel intimidating but start off small and go at your own pace. Research suggests that when done regularly, strength training can help preserve bone density, independence and vitality.” Help Relieve Discomfort Staying active in your later years is imperative to help prevent physical decline. However, for the 20 million people in the UK suffering with a musculoskeletal condition such as arthritis, keeping up with a substantial exercise routine is not always possible. Julie says, “Although I’m an advocate for active ageing, conditions such as arthritis can have a great impact on our desire to exercise. Pain and discomfort often accompany chronic health conditions, with many believing that exercise will exacerbate symptoms. In fact, keeping active can actually help relieve discomfort by reducing joint pain whilst increasing strength and flexibility. For those looking for additional support, joint movement may be made easier through the addition of a clinically backed supplement, such as GOPO® Joint Health which in numerous studies has been shown to reduce joint pain and stiffness.” Credits: Author Yvonne McKenzie and Magazine The People's Friend
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At last things are beginning to look a bit brighter and we can tentatively start meeting up with our friends and family. This also means we can start to welcome everyone back to our wonderful Move It Or Lose It classes! What better way to enjoy exercise than with friendly faces followed by a chat and a cuppa? * Not Just an Exercise Class We all know how much Amanda loves exercise but it’s not just the physical aspect of the class, it’s also about the social side and the positive impact that has on our wellbeing. The past year has been tough, especially for those who live alone or who have had to shield and that’s what makes classes like our MIOLI class so important. Having a reason to come out, meet with friends and have a bit of a giggle has huge benefits. Couple that with a bit of light exercise and you’ve got the perfect remedy. At MIOLI a combination of seated exercises, group exercises, lots of props and of course fun and laughter will help improve mobility and flexibility. There is growing evidence that regular exercise can also help protect us from developing dementia. To really lift the spirits we all enjoy a good sing along at MIOLI, it’s lots of fun and it can even help with stress and anxiety. Get Back Into the Groove! Starting up exercise again can seem daunting, especially after such a long time away. There’s no need to worry, Amanda will ensure that the MIOLI class will ease you back in slowly and as always all the exercises can be adapted to suit your particular needs. Most importantly, MIOLI classes are all about joining in and having fun. Come along to your local class, meet up with friends old and new and get moving! Classes:
The following Move It Or Lose It classes are currently running:
*Please note: Due to Covid Move It Or Lose It classes are not resuming at Tallington, Empingham, Baston and Corby Glen. You are free to join one of our other classes but it is important to book your place. The health and safety of our class members is of our highest priority and given the latest guidelines set out by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the UK Government it is with regret we have had to close all our classes until further notice. Exercise Support at Home We will monitor update daily and make changes inline with new information published. It will be a good idea to maintain regular exercise at home where possible. We have a selection on Youtube videos and video we posted to Facebook that you can used as reference for exercising at home, especially if you have had to self isolate. Exercise toys can be replaced with any similar items you have in the home too. Move It Or Lose It Classes The Move It Or Lose It team have promised to publish some FREE online videos that you can use in the comfort of your own home, please check here for updates: FREE Online Videos they also have a Youtube channel that publishes regular videos. They also have a selection of DVD’s that can be purchased online here: Move It Or Lose It DVD's they also plan to do online rentals to keep costs down for those with reduced income. Signs and Symptoms of Coronavirus Please consider the latest guidance regarding signs and symptoms of Coronavirus. Conoravirus Guidelines If you have recently returned from any of the counties most affected by Conoravirus or if you, or a member of your immediate household are unwell and are experiencing a new and persistent cough and have a high temperature you must follow the latest guidance on isolation at home. Are you in the high risk category? Please consider if you or those close to you fall in to the high risk category, please look out for family, friends or those you know who are already isolated and may need additional support like help with food or picking up prescriptions. FREE Support Pack for Older People We know this outbreak will impact so many peoples’ lives so please follow the link below to download the Move It Or Lose it FREE support pack for older people to help you through these difficult times. Last updated 19th march 2020 |
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