HEALTH BENEFITS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Helping Older Adults to Live Longer Better

If physical activity were a drug, we would refer to it as a miracle cure, due to the great many illnesses it can prevent and help treat.

UK CMO Physical Activity Guidelines, Sept 2019

Prevention is about helping people stay healthy, happy and independent for as long as possible. This means reducing the chances of problems arising in the first place and, when they do, supporting people to manage them as effectively as possible. Prevention is as important at seventy years old as it is at age seven.

Department of Health & Social Care, 2019

Benefits of physical activity infographic

Physical activity: applying All Our Health

In Surrey almost one in five people - 190,000 adults - are classified as wholly ‘inactive’, meaning they do less than 30 minutes of physical activity per week¹ (County trends and results by borough, can be found in our 'Active Lives' charts). There is a strong evidence base that being physically active can prevent or manage more than 20 chronic conditions and diseases².

In general, the more time spent being physically active, the greater the health benefits. However, the gains are especially significant for those currently doing the lowest levels of activity (fewer than 30 minutes per week).

Physical activity is not just ‘exercise’ or sport. Being active could involve travelling to work, household chores, or things we do just for fun. When people make being active a part of their everyday lives it is more likely to be sustained.

MOVING MORE, SITTING LESS

Every minute counts and every movement matters

There is increasing evidence that sitting down too much can also be a health risk. Sitting for long periods is thought to slow the metabolism, which affects the body's ability to regulate blood sugar, blood pressure and break down body fat³.

Nearly a third of people spend more than 6 hours sitting every day. The Chief Medical Officers’ Guidelines recommend breaking up long periods of sitting time with at least light activity. This can include standing on the train or bus, taking the stairs, setting a reminder to get up every 30 minutes, walking around while on the phone or standing up and moving during TV advert breaks.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY GUIDELINES FOR ADULTS AND OLDER ADULTS

THE UK CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICERS’ GUIDELINES RECOMMEND EACH WEEK ADULTS DO

At least 150 minutes moderate intensity activity

Or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, or a mixture of both

Strengthening activities on two days

Reducing extended periods of sitting

Please refer to the different guidelines for the physical activity needed for general health benefits at different life stages.

PREVENTING ILL HEALTH

Up to 40% of long-term health conditions could be prevented by reduced inactivity⁴ and adults who exercise regularly have a lower risk of developing many long-term conditions, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, dementia, and some cancers.

In addition, we know being active boosts self esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy, as well as reducing the risk of stress⁵.

Find active resources

HELPING MANAGE LONG-TERM HEALTH CONDITIONS

In England, 43% of the population has at least one long term health condition⁶.

Physical activity can help manage more than 20 common physical and mental health conditions⁷. 64% of people living with a long-term health condition would like to be more active⁸ yet they are twice as likely to be inactive as people without⁹.

Reassure the people who you support that any amount of movement is of benefit¹⁰ and there is usually no need to gain 'permission' from health professionals provided patients start gradually.

Read Moving Medicine’s consensus statement on risk Find active resources

HELPING OLDER ADULTS TO LIVE LONGER BETTER

As people age, some conditions they most fear are dementia, falls and frailty. Being active can significantly reduce the chances of developing these (and other) long term health conditions so it is really important to encourage the older adults you support to move more.

As well as physical activity, mental and social activity is also key to ageing well. There is now emerging evidence that increasing physical activity can help reduce loneliness and social isolation¹¹.

Watch a short video from Sir Muir Gray on developing a new culture from care to enablement using activity (physical, cognitive and emotional) as the driver to increase health span for older adults.

Watch Now Find active resources