Over 55s More Active Than Younger People

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Main Category: Sports Medicine / Fitness
Article Date: 25 Jan 2012 - 9:00 PST

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According to survey by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), individuals aged 55+ are more active than the younger generation. Results from the survey revealed that people over the age of 55 do around 28 minutes more physical activity per week than their 18 to 25 year-old counterparts.

Although there is clear evidence of the health benefits associated with physical activity, 30% of survey respondents over the age of 55 cite the British weather as the most restricting factor for engaging in physical activity, followed by long term health conditions (29%).

In order to motivate the 7.78 million individuals over the age of 55 with long term health conditions to lead a more active lifestyle, a national campaign, inspired by the London 2012 Olympic and Paralymic Games, called Your Personal Best, is being launched by GSK, Official Laboratory Services Provider for London 2012, in association with NHS London.

Dr. Hamzah Baig, Medical Director at GSK, explains:

"Encouraging the inactive to be more active, particularly those with long term health conditions, is an ongoing challenge for those working in general practice. Your Personal Best aims to help patients to set personal and realistic activity goals to achieve their personal best by engaging in a range of lifestyle activities from gardening to DIY to walking the dog."

Dr. William Bird MBE, GP with a special interest in Physical Activity, and NHS London consultant, said:

"Regular physical activity not only helps to prevent but also treats many diseases and conditions, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, cancer, mental health problems and musculoskeletal conditions. Your Person Best supports you in giving your patients the 'permission' they are seeking, enabling them to achieve their personal best without having to become Olympic athletes!"

The campaign is supported by seven patient groups across the UK, the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), and the Royal College of Nursing (RCN).

In addition, celebrity ambassadors Len Goodman and Arlene Phillips, former dancers and TV judges, will help raise awareness of the campaign via media activities.

Even small increases in physical activity are linked to improved quality of life, and some protection against chronic disease, particularly in older individuals. GPs, nurses, pharmacists and physiotherapists (physical therapists) play a crucial role in helping these individuals understand the daily activities they can do to enhance their quality of life.

Furthermore, the campaign provides healthcare professionals with easy, practical in-surgery materials to help start motivational conversations with patients about physical activity and to help support these patients at home.

Dr Clare Gerada, Chair, Royal College of General Practitioners supporters of the campaign explained:

"Keeping active can be hard, but patients do not have to be held back by long term health conditions. The first steps towards a more active lifestyle may often be the hardest, so helping patients to think about things they can do as part of their daily routine is a good place to start. I hope this campaign shows how small, simple changes can make a big difference to your general health and wellbeing."

The campaign materials will be available for patients to use at home. In addition, they will be able to use a Your Personal Best online activity tracker where they can set their own goals and record their progress.

For more information regarding the campaign and to download materials click here.

Written by Grace Rattue
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

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