Unfit at 50?

Citation

(2009), "Unfit at 50?", Nutrition & Food Science, Vol. 39 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/nfs.2009.01739eab.014

Unfit at 50?

Article Type: Food facts From: Nutrition & Food Science, Volume 39, Issue 5.

Though sometimes we may care not to admit it, we all know that regular exercise can help keep us fit and healthy. But if you still haven't joined the gym, started playing a sport or just haven't had time to build more activity into your daily life, there's good news. According to experts, it's not too late to start getting active on a regular basis even if you're pushing 50.

In a paper published in the British Medical Journal, researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden report how they quizzed more than 2,000 men aged 50 and over about their activity levels. What they discovered was those who upped their activity levels in their 50s enjoyed similar life-extending benefits as those who were already regular exercisers by the time they reached middle age.

In fact, those who went from being low to moderate exercisers when they were younger to regular exercisers between the age of 50 and 60 were more likely to live longer than those who were already doing high levels of activity at that age. The effect on lifespan, say the researchers, is the same as giving up smoking.

“Increased physical activity in middle age is eventually followed by a reduction in mortality to the same level as seen among men with constantly high physical activity”, the report concludes. “This reduction is comparable with that associated with smoking cessation”.

The survey defines “heavy” activity as hard physical training, competitive sport, active recreational sports and heavy gardening for at least three hours a week. But if the mere thought of three hours' heavy sports training leaves you feeling weak at the knees, another way to increase your activity levels, whatever your age, is to practise an exercise method such as Pilates.

Developed by German-born Joseph Pilates, Pilates is an exercise system that originally attracted performance professionals such as actors, dancers and athletes. Today, however, it is practised by ordinary people in gyms, exercise studios, church halls and living rooms all over the world, thanks to the way it effectively lengthens and strengthens all the body's muscle groups.

Since it aims to strengthen core stability as well as improve posture and flexibility, Pilates is ideal for older exercisers with back and joint problems not to mention those who are want to avoid them in later life too.

The Anatomy of Pilates is available from www.amazon.co.uk, Waterstones and Lotus Publishing – www.lotuspublishing.co.uk