Men (%)

Proportion participating in the last 4 weeks

50-59

60-69

70-79

80+

All 50+

Exercises

9

8

11

9

9

Cycling

11

10

4

6

9

Social Dancing

8

11

5

5

8

Snooker

11

8

6

2

8

Swimming

11

7

5

1

8

Golf

9

6

4

1

6

Rambling

7

7

4

3

6

Darts

6

3

4

-

4

Bowls

2

5

4

4

4

Fishing

4

2

1

2

2

Women (%)

Exercises

14

11

10

7

11

Social Dancing

15

9

6

2

9

Swimming

16

7

3

1

8

Cycling

11

10

0

2

7

Keep Fit

6

4

3

3

4

Rambling

6

4

2

-

4

Yoga

4

2

0

0

2

Bowls

2

2

1

-

2

Aerobics

3

1

0

-

1

Golf

3

1

0

-

1

Regular exercise is widely accepted as beneficial to health and fitness. Walking, cycling and swimming are all recommended as beneficial and easily available. We, of course, are concentrating on cycling, and highlight its advantages.

“Surveys have shown that regular exercise must be enjoyable or not take much time if it is to be maintained. The only activities that have been shown to be continued throughout life are walking, gardening and cycling”
(Interview with Dr. Harry Owen, Flinders University, South Australia. European Cyclist 3.98)

“As with swimming, cycling is another good general activity as it builds up muscle strength and stamina. As cycling is non weight bearing it reduces the stress on joints and is therefore appropriate for those with arthritis and many cardiovascular conditions”
(Alive and Thrive, Suffolk Rethink Disability, 1998)

Cycling has made great leaps and bounds over the years, only children used to be able to ride trickles’ but there are now versions for adults, there used to only be 2 wheeled bikes there are now 4 wheeled bikes, there are comfort bikes with the suspension under the bottom to help make the ride more comfortable.

Healthy Ageing

(Taken from “Move for Health” a document by the World Health Organisation Europe)

Cycling as a physical activity can help maintenance of bone mass and thus protection against osteoporosis, improved coordination, mobility, strength, endurance, raised self esteem, reduced levels of mild to moderate hypertension and an overall psychological wellbeing.

Regular, moderate physical activity can delay function decline and reduce the onset of chronic diseases in both healthy and chronically ill older people. Healthy people can engage in most forms of physical activity as long as they do not involve excessive exertion. From the age of 50 onwards, the benefits of regular physical activity can be most relevant in avoiding, minimising and/or reversing many physical, psychological and social hazards that often accompany advancing age. A greater degree of physical activity can help to prevent many of the negative effects of aging on functional ability and health. Regularly active individuals are less likely to withdraw from society and are more likely to actively contribute to social life. Leg muscle strength is improved through walking and cycling, and this contributes to reduced risk of injury from falls among older people.

”But older people do not cycle”

Pensioners win award for cycling lifestyle:
A group of cycling pensioners from Chester has been recognised in a national award scheme to find the UK's most active over-60s. Watson's Wanderers, led by Aston Park's Harry 'the bike's Watson, 76, has won a Stay Active Award to help keep up their active lifestyles and providing inspiration to other over-60s. The award was given as part of the Stay Active campaign launched by Powergen Staywarm, the fixed price gas and electricity service solely for the over-60s, to encourage older people to keep fit and well through exercise.

The group of cyclists, all aged between 50 and 76, meet every Tuesday at the Plough Inn, Christleton, for bike rides of up to 70 miles – with Harry often carrying on and reaching the 100 mile mark. Harry said: "We're delighted to have won this award and have decided to use the £100 to 'refuel's ourselves during the pub stops. In 15 years of bike rides we've visited 461 pubs and a swift pint does the trick every time." Local Powergen Staywarm advisor Terry Caldecott said: "Cycling is not only a great way to keep fit and healthy but also a means of socialising and making new friends. I hope that many older people will be encouraged to take up the sport as a result of this campaign."

Statistics show that we all take less and less exercises as we get older and, by the time we reach 60, few of us take any regular exercise at all. Just 32% of men in England aged between 55 and 64 do the recommended 30 minutes of exercise most days (in Scotland the figure is 26%); and for women in England it is only 21% (with Scottish women at 19%);. For 65 to 74-year-olds, the figures drop to 17% of men (14% in Scotland); and 12% of women (8% in Scotland);

As part of the Stay Active campaign, Powergen Staywarm will also be using NHS guidelines to help spread vital advice to older people on ways to keep mobile. The advice outlined in NHS Keep Warm, Keep Well leaflets will be distributed by Powergen Staywarm advisers at meetings across the community.

"Moving around generates extra body heat, so any kind of activity will help to keep you warm," said Professor Ian Philip, the Department of Health's National Director for Older People's Services.

"We advise older people, who are able to, to undertake moderate exercise, such as walking, as it provides real health benefits if you do it regularly all year round. We're delighted Stay Active is encouraging people who can do so to enjoy active lifestyles."
Published Wednesday 25 May 2005.

NO OLDER PEOPLE DO NOT CYCLE?
AND IT’S GREAT FUN

WHAT DO PARENTS TELL THEIR CHILDREN?

“You do not know if you dislike it until you have tried it!”
 

Crank it Ups’ range of 2, 3 & 4 wheeled bikes and our comfort bikes allows groups to have fun whilst benefiting from exercise.