Get Fit_50+
Healthier Lifestyles - The Evidence
Fit_50+ Research Project
GET FIT_50+ !
"We want to ensure that the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are remembered, not only as a summer of fantastic sport, but as the catalyst for long-term benefits across the UK, providing for healthy lifestyles after the Games and increased sports participation"
These were the aims when London successfully bid London bid for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, so .........
WHY OUR FOCUS ON fit_50+?
We are part of an ageing population with 20 million of us now aged 50+; that's over a third of the our UK population. And we are living longer! Although reaching the age of 50 can present challenges in work and homelife - facing retirement, menopause, changed lifestyles, living alone, perhaps lacking direction and control over their own lives, there are more exciting opportunities than ever before to enjoy life the baby boomers have reached 60, and are making their mark yet again, just look at the rock stars revival! We want the over 50s to be part of our Olympic Legacy, a fitter, leaner older generation , inspiring the younger generation having fun!
We dont just want to live longer we want to stay fit, healthy and independent, enjoying a good quality of life. We want to minimise the length of time that we will be relying on others because we are ill, less mobile or depressed `compressed morbidity `is the jargon! We want to slide or swing into that coffin saying `its been great! `
BUT, and here is the big BUT, despite all those advances in medicine and public health, most of over 50s population are living unhealthy sedentary lives, with high smoking and obesity rates and eating crap food. Only 3% are living a healthy lifesytle. Obesity leads inexorably to heightened risks of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney failure, strokes and cancers etc. Weak muscles, low bone density poor balance all contribute to the higher risk and serious consequences of those damaging falls and broken hips. We know the theory, but can fit_50+ lead to change?
WHAT CAN fit_50+ DO ABOUT IT?
There is a Magic Formula (www.science2health.org) that contributes to a healthy lifestyle:-
1.Regular exercise just 2.5 hours per week, with even greater benefits if some of it leads to getting out of breath
2.Nutrition veg, fruit, pulses, grains & fish
3.Not smoking
4.Getting that obesity down (BMI less than 30)
5.Moderate alcohol - here the `jury is out`. There are some indications that alcohol is protective against some chronic diseases, but in moderation!
No amount of physical activity can lead to immortality, but regular exercise reduces the risk of disease and disabling conditions.
There's a vast pool of research on the benefits of exercise, non-smoking and a healthy diet. This is summarised in our Healthier Lifestyles research document. To read the full research document please click on the yellow button at the top of the page.
Where the first four `magic formula` non-risk factors above were incorporated for a large group of 60 year olds, they found seven years later that this healthier lifestyle had prevented 93% of the risk of Type 2 diabetes, 81% of heart disease, 50% less strokes and 36% cancer. This group was compared with a control group who had not taken up any of the those non- risk factors. Theres would be a fortune to be made out of a pill offering those incredible outcomes, yet it is there for the taking, if only the Over 50s were sufficiently motivated to change.
Regular physical activity impacts too on well being, self esteem and relieves stress. When 100 year olds were studied they attributed their longevity to healthy lifestyle, exercising regularly, maintaining a social network and positive mental attitude. And the benefits dont stop at 60! `Its never too late to start a healthier lifestyle` was the take- home message of another study where even those starting to exercise at 70 had better late outcomes.
WHAT IS TWO2GO DOING FOR fit_50+?
We believe strongly that if we can help to encourage a new pattern of sporting participation or exercise, then the other lifestyle changes will follow. So we are expanding our 2go events to ensure more opportunities for over 50s to take up new challenges, and get that feeling of overwhelming satisfaction that goes along with being fitter when we are glued to the TV in July and August 2012!
Right alongside the developing Olympic constructions on Hackney Marshes, we have an expanded programme of events in our programme for 2010, now in sight of the new velodrome and Olympic Park. Further expansion for One2go is on the drawing board. They are stockpiling the soil on Hackney East Marsh for the construction of the new bridge across to the Olympic Park. Two2go and One2go could be bridges for fit_50+ , offering a route to new sports, sharing the journey with likeminded souls. All our events will offer ongoing pathways and links for participants to carry on with their activities. Our INSPIRE projects with the novice triathlon, guided walks, football challenge, and CaniX (running with the family dog) and the other events will have age-grouped opportunities. Running and jogging events are particularly good for older people as they offer a reassuring age-graded formula you can go on getting `better and better in age graded terms!
Linked with our partners we will be organising several other regular events, with a wide range of activities.There really will be something for everyone to have a go. We will promote the brilliant free weekly 5k parkruns around the country, now in East London, and open to all ages and abilities.
We are hoping to set up a Fit_50+ research project at all our events and measure general health and fitness levels. Click on the blue button at the top of the page to read the Research project document.
We are determined that our events will be fun and sociable, refreshments will be on hand to mull over the joy and the pain of that extra bit of exertion. We want to encouragement team participation, involving fun family or community based relay teams. We want to see `grannies doing it faster` on the bike or swim leg of the triathlon, or ` Dads and Lads` on the football challenge. We are hoping to persuade some over 50s celebs to change their lifestyle and try our novice triathlon, football challenge, or perhaps run with their dog. We will even help those corporate employers of highly stressed sedentary staff, to benefit from a fit_50+ work force by having corporate teams for our 10k, by donating a trophy for the winning team. We want to offer goals, and find that motivation to change, and sustain that change.
So many of us are motivated by goals, whether it is losing weight, losing inches, building that six-pack or feeling confident we can run for the bus. We have a training programme for getting Over 50s ready for a 5k, starting at different fitness levels. And although still at draftstage, we are planning our fit_50+ research to measure progress. , Other over 50s will be motivated by taking on a new challenge and using it to donate via Just Giving to their own charity or our partner charities. But most of us need help to sustain a changed lifestyle, so we will be on hand with web-based programmes. We plan to set up an advice line and chat room
WHAT ARE THE BLOCKS TO A CHANGED LIFESTYLE FOR THE OVER 50's?
There must be blocks, but we dont really understand them in such a rapidly changing world. But we will find out by our mini research programme. Maybe it is:
•Fear of a gym and all those toned, honed lycra clad bodies
•Cant quite give up drink/smoking/ burgers and chips -again evidence from studies in healthier lifestyles - the research is encouraging.
•Those cold wet mornings - how much easier if we know there's a fellow jogger ready to run with us!
•Fear of facing decline, or not being as good as we used to be - it happens to us all!
•Niggling injuries that prevent former sports activities - there are always new challenges around the corner, but we encourage all participants to complete one of our questionnaires and possibly seek the advice of their GP
OUR MANAGMENT AND VOLUNTEERS
The expansion our fit_50+ project is inspired and sustained by older people, some already fit, some less so, some who have exercised forever, others who came to it later in life. But, like the Serpentine Golden Girls (as seen in the photo above) - an incredible group of women over the age of 50 who regularly take part in marathons, Ironman contests, Triathlons and cross continental cycle races across the globe,we have all benefitted. We have a great volunteer management group but are always looking for more contributions. We also need those special volunteers who can offer encouragement as marshals, or organising drinks stations, especially when the going gets tough on the marathon.
If you are interested in getting involved as a volunteer, please email info_sportingbunnies.org.uk
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