“I’m too old to exercise” has never been a valid excuse, and unfortunately for you it never will be. The benefits are so widespread, like improved mood, bone health and life expectancy, and new benefits are added to the list every week.

If you’re over the age of 70, then research has labelled you very old, not me. But even being regularly physically active between the ages of 70 and 90 from as little as walking is linked to an extended life expectancy in those with diabetes, a condition which typically steals years from you rather than letting you have more of them.

‘Very old people’ who are regularly active are also likely to need less prescriptions and will have fewer hospital admissions. That’s great news, because who likes sleeping in a hospital and walking back and forth to the chemist every month?

So, exercise is not off-limits to those over retirement age. Theres’s no need for gym memberships, fancy equipment and sports drinks, because walking to the shop for the paper is good enough to obtain these benefits.

Faye Prior (Researcher)

Sources

Simmonds et al., (2014). Objectively Assessed Physical Activity and Subsequent Health Service Use of UK Adults Aged 70 and Over: A Four to Five Year Follow Up Study. PLoS One, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0097676.

Stessman & Jacobs., (2014). Diabetes Mellitus, Physical Activity, and Longevity Between the Ages of 70 and 90. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 62(7), 1329-34.