I found this article in the Guardian a year ago and I think its an important subject to think about and talk about, particularly as we start to age.
I don’t really regard myself as sporty. Certainly, at school I wasn’t, and often tried to get out of games lessons. I swam a bit as a child and still do when I can, although I prefer swimming when the weather is warmer. I walk as much as I can and practice yoga and have been known to go to a gym once in a while. But is this enough?
Which sports are the best for you and does age make that much difference? Are there ages at which certain sports can have more of an impact on your body?
” Initiatives from Sport England show one factor is key- enjoyment. That can come from the environment, camaraderie or friendship as much as the sport itself. What’s important is to find your niche. The thing you enjoy.” Professor John Brewer
A lot of emphasise is put on winning but does sport have to be competitive? If you are never going to be good enough to play at Wimbledon does that meant you can’t enjoy a few games of tennis at your local park? If a sport gets your endorphins flowing, it’s right for you, whatever age you take it up. Matt Rogan and Kerry Potter’s book All to Play For- writes about Competitive sport may be for the few, but play is for everyone.” Wise words indeed.
Park Play runs free two-hour community play sessions on Saturday mornings in parks across England. Plans are afoot to expand Park Play into Scotland.
We all need more play in our live. Play is a fun, informal, varied, social activity with no particular goal. It’s inclusive and can reach those who don’t think of themselves as sporty.” Rick Jenner,Park Play
Our life’s are busy with work and family commitments particularly for women. And sometimes taking time for exercise falls by the wayside.“In the depths of caring responsibilities, you can feel guilty about taking time out for yourself. The answer is exercise that involves as little faff as possible” says Sports Psychologist Dr Josie Perry.
Today there’s a big selection of online classes, often for a low cost or even free. Some morning and afternoon TV shows feature sessions involving wonderful celebrities like Joe Wicks. Exercise can help to boost cognitive and mental health. Doing something that involves all the family can be fun as well as beneficial to health and well-being.
As we start to age, getting regular exercise can make a difference in the later years. Advice for the over-50s is usually for low- impact activities such as cycling or swimming. But fitness experts are saying weight-bearing activities are crucial, because as we age, muscle mass declines and with it goes strength and eventually, the ability to perform basic tasks. While weight-lifting can conjury up unachievable images for most of us. Mimi Bines, who coaches at women-only gym Lift Studio LDN says “I’ve been training for 10 years and you probably can’t tell! And it’s a fact that older people who lift weights have better bone density than people a lot younger. For women in particular, it’s great to learn performance-based skills after years of weight loss being the only goal.”
YouTube has loads of free tutorials, if you don’t want to go to a gym or find this too costly. I have some light hand-weights and a Kettlebell, these did take a bit of getting used to, but starting slowly, a few times a week as been shown in studies to rebuild muscle tissue in people from ages 50 to 90.
Between the ages of 65 and 74, sedentary time in men and women increases to 10 hours a day. Although some active people will continue to enjoy running and cycling into their 60s, taking up a whole new sport can be daunting for some in later life. Which is quite understandable.
“It’s really important to do something that involves a bit of impact. Though too much can cause problems, higher-impact activities can help maintain bone density. I’d suggest brisk walking uphill and downhill.” Professor John Brewer
Exercise is particularly important to retain strength. If you lose the strength to get out of a chair or bed or to climb the stairs, you start to lose your independence and could even fall which could result in injures. Age UK runs classes around the country, including Pilates and yoga, dance and Tai Chi. It’s never too late to take up some sort of sport or activity. A recent study with an average age of 82, found that the 10% with the least daily physical activity were more than twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s as the 10% with the most daily physical activity.
“Cardiovascular and strength fitness can help you retain independence, potentially live longer, but also, importantly, have a better quality of life. What’s more, repetitive learning of a new skill can stimulate brain cells, whatever your age.” Sports scientist Professor John Brewer
So, just by adding a small amount of activity to your life this can have an impact particularity in the aging process. As well as been fun!
Created Curated by Sara Brown 