Moving with the times... older islanders stay active
ISLANDERS were encouraged to get moving more at an event last week.
They had a chance to try boccia, kurling and walking football, as well as zumba and tai chi at the Keep on Moving event at Beau Sejour.
Active 8 inclusion officer Caroline Barby was organising the day.
‘It is about trying to get older islanders moving,’ she said.
‘There are lots of opportunities for that to happen here, but maybe people do not know about them. So this is an opportunity to try them out.’
One of the groups taking part was the U3A badminton group.
Convenor Michelle Nash said they had about 15 members who regularly took part.
‘It’s good exercise and it’s social,’ she said.
The group does not take complete beginners, but gives a place for people who already enjoy racket sports to play games. Some members have previously been tennis players, but badminton is easier for older people.
The court is smaller than a tennis court and the racket is lighter.
Graham Hindle, 73, used to be a keen tennis player, but stopped when the stress of playing became too much.
‘Badminton is an extremely good way to keep fit,’ he said. ‘And it’s very friendly.’
A panel discussion on health matters also took place, which included Healthcare Group GP Nick Dunn.
He said it was important for islanders of all ages to keep active, with a wide range of benefits both mental and physical.
For older islanders, one particular benefit is how it improves balance.
‘For older people, they are at risk of falling, so anything that improves their balance reduces the risk of falling,’ he said.
He added that exercise also reduces the risk of conditions like heart disease and stroke, as well as improving lung capacity and quality of sleep.
‘Even if you have never exercised before, if you do short bursts of exercise regularly, it has been demonstrated all these things improve.’
He said there was a range of sports available locally.
‘If exercise was a drug, everyone would want to get it,’ he said.
Humans are not designed to be inactive, Dr Dunn said, adding that it was important to make time to exercise.
