How to get moving
When taking steps towards being more active, Associate Professor Stapley advises to take it easy to start with, and always consult your GP before making any changes to your exercise routine.
1. Go for a walk
In terms of what activities are good to do, he says the best activity is walking. “It’s what the body was built to do – run and walk. And we don’t do enough of it. We’ve become totally dependent on cars to do activities of daily life that we previously would have done by walking.”
He believes older people should try and build walking into their everyday activities.
“The good thing about walking is that it’s low impact and social. Identify an activity you can do through walking. Also, try to improve your sit to stand to improve your muscles.”
He explains that the action of sitting to standing is often an activity that can lead to falls.
2. Swim
He says swimming is a great form of exercise. The water takes away the stresses, it overcomes gravity, the water is often warm, it supports your weight and it’s a social activity.
3. Try gardening
“Gardening is a great form of exercise too,” he says. “In Australia we have great weather to be out and about in.”
Associate Professor Stapley says that in terms of our mental health, more and more we are seeing the link between exercise and good mental health.
“When we are active physically the brain works too. When you exercise the brain produces hormones that promote an overall perception of wellbeing.”
He says that the relationship between good mental health and exercise is well established, and that getting older should not be associated with a sedentary lifestyle.