Easy does it

5th May 2000, 1:00am

Share

Easy does it

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/easy-does-it-0
Statistics about the fitness of the over-50s are frightening. One survey found that almost one man in three and more than one in two women aged 55 to 74 find walking at a normal pace on level ground impossible to sustain. And almost one in three men and half of women aged between 65 and 74 say they have too little muscle strength round their thighs to rise easily from a low chair. Scary stuff. Especially as more than half the population is now aged 45 or over.

The benefits of exercise are well documented, but some are more relevant for older people. You can reduce the risk of heart disease and strokes, prevent or control high blood pressure, improve joint mobility and muscle strength (muscle strength, power, endurance and flexibility decrease with age), prevent osteoporosis... the list goes on. You may even lose weight.

So how to start if you’ve had years of sedentary living? You don’t have to join a gym and become a Concept 2 fiend like Gerald Haigh. Keep it simple - and always remember that any activity is betterthan none. So while the ideal may be moderately intensive physical activity (like a brisk walk) for half an hour, five times a week, start off gently.

The official line is that to benefit your health, physical activity should be at an intensity that raises your heart rate enough to leave you breathing more heavily than usual and feeling warmer. This does not mean you have to jog for 20 minutes. Start slowly and build up gradually. Maybe on day one you could spend 10 minutes climbing the stairs, walking the dog an extra block, weeding the garden, even doing a spot of vigorous housework. It all counts. (You’re doing too much if you can’t talk while you’re active.) Don’t spend a fortune on lycra. All you need is something loose and comfortable and a strong pair of shoes with a cushioned sole to prevent jarring your joints. And remember, if you have any doubts - especially if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, back trouble or other medical problems - check with your doctor first.

JILL CRAVEN


Want to keep reading for free?

Register with Tes and you can read two free articles every month plus you'll have access to our range of award-winning newsletters.

Keep reading for just £1 per month

You've reached your limit of free articles this month. Subscribe for £1 per month for three months and get:

  • Unlimited access to all Tes magazine content
  • Exclusive subscriber-only stories
  • Award-winning email newsletters
Recent
Most read
Most shared