aging. That’s what many Australians fear.
What was once easy may not be so now. Your appearance changes, your body functions differently. But it’s not all bad.
The aging process cannot be stopped, but physical activity can have many benefits as you age.
According to Pazit Levinger, principal investigator at the National Aging Research Institute, overall well-being and health are better for those who exercise well into old age.
“Physical activity is one way to maintain efficient systems in the body that help fight disease, improve function, and lead a quality life.
“Running kept me fit”
Not all Australians can immediately improve their health with exercise, but 84-year-old Abdon Ulloa believes in a regular running routine.
Abdon started his hobby in his mid-40s. He has completed 75 of his marathons to date (his last was when he was 77) and estimates his half marathons are now in the thousands.
He goes to parkrun every week. He has appeared on Saturday mornings for the past three years and has scored 184 runs.
All that movement has paid off, he believes.
“Keeping running, keeping moving has kept me very fit,” he said.
“I don’t take drugs, I go to the doctor once a year, and I’m fine.”
Abdon is in his own league at his local parkrun in Menai, Sydney, and is the only runner over the age of 80.
About an hour south, you can find 82-year-old Romperry circling the North Wollongong Track.
“Many of us are still shuffling the back of the field,” he said.
Like Abdon, Ron started running in his 40s and credits it with keeping him fit.
“I started running around the block, then along the beach, and from there,” he said.
In his nine years of parkrun, he has completed 215 runs.
“Use it or lose it”
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Australian Department of Health and Aging recommend that people over the age of 65 get about 30 minutes of physical activity most days. However, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data, half of this cohort is less active.
“This is one of them, and we know it works. [exercise]we just need to encourage people to do it more,” said Professor Levinger.
She also explained that, ideally, exercise for seniors should target the heart and lungs, as well as a little strength and resistance training.
You should also focus on balance exercises.
“The heart is less capable of functioning as efficiently as it did when we were younger,” Levinger said.
“It’s the same with your respiratory system. As you get older, you often feel a little short of breath.”
Then there is the problem of weakened muscles.
“If you don’t use your muscles and maintain your strength, you lose muscle mass and strength, which directly impacts your function,” says Levyinger.
“Exercise can improve how these systems work.”
When it comes to running in particular, Levinger says it’s particularly beneficial for your cardiopulmonary system and bones.
“Your blood pressure is in the healthy/normal range, your resting heart rate is reduced, and your heart works more efficiently,” said Professor Levinger.
“For example, people who have been running for a long time and keep running are great for their bones and muscles.
“We often use the phrase ‘spend it or lose it’ and it’s actually true.”
At 98, Colin Thorne is using it, making him the oldest person in New Zealand to join parkrun’s 100 Club.
Loading
“I won’t give up until I have to,” he said.
it’s never too late
Bill Lamont is Australia’s oldest active park runner. He signed up months ago and broke his age group record at the Jells parkrun, walking the track for the first time.
“For my 93rd birthday in June, I decided to give it a try.
Bill has always been active and still does exercise classes, orienteering walks and table tennis.
“I’m sure all these activities have kept me as fit as I am. I have no health issues at this age,” Bill said.
Professor Levinger says the point is to do what you can control and do what you enjoy.
“Do whatever you can to get fit. It doesn’t have to be healthy. You can start exercising at any age.”
Like Lenore Rattley, who always took a morning walk but started running at the age of 72.
“I wanted to do something a little different,” she said.
Since that decision was made, Lenore has amassed 332 parkruns.
“I’m running down a hill right now. Sometimes I’ll jump up and run a little and then walk a little,” she said.
Professor Lebinger said the important thing is that people aim for what they enjoy.
“You want to do something that makes you feel comfortable and fun, because then you’re more likely to stick with it,” she said.
As Lenore says, “What else do you do on Saturday morning?”
ABC Sports has partnered with park run Promote the benefits of physical activity and community involvement.
.
