Super 60s prove age is just a number

The over 60s are fitter than ever, leaving their younger counterparts behind when it comes to exercise.

Research from the Bupa ‘How are you Britain?' report reveals those 60 plus are three times more likely to exercise every day than those in their 20s.

In fact, nearly a quarter (22 per cent) of over 60s work out at least five times a week, with just 15 per cent of 20-somethings making a similar effort.

And it's age-defying celebrities who are spurring on the AOPs (Athletic Older People).   Our research placed the yoga-toned Helen Mirren (aged 65) at the top of the list of such inspirational celebrities (19 per cent), closely followed by Joanna Lumley (15 per cent).

Reaping the benefits

As a result of exercise, the over 60s are enjoying a greater quality of life, with a third (33 per cent) losing weight and over a quarter (26 per cent) feeling less stressed.  A few even attribute their better luck with the opposite sex to exercise.

All this physical activity is helping the 60 plus generation to feel younger than their years (70 per cent) as well as doing wonders for their health.

Simon Fairthorne, musculoskeletal physiotherapist from Bupa's Barbican Centre for Sports Medicine,  London, said: "The benefits this generation is experiencing from exercise are substantial - they are less likely to suffer from chronic illness than their parents and have a longer life expectancy.  It also helps reduce the risk of serious health conditions such as heart disease, high cholesterol, as well as improving mental health and overall wellbeing.

"The emergence of the AOPs is very encouraging as more than a third (37 per cent) of over 60s feel they are exercising more now than they did 10 years ago." 

For most, walking is the most popular form of exercise (79 per cent), followed by swimming (19 per cent) and cycling (13 per cent).  However there are also those who are embracing the new keep fit methods provided by technology with three per cent doing exercise programmes on gaming consoles such as the Wii Fit and X-Box Kinect.

Going for gold 

Not content with general exercise, some AOPs are going one step further and competing in endurance sports events. 

In fact, the Bupa Great North Run has experienced a 14 per cent boost in entries over the past five years in the older age group.

And AOPs enthusiasm is paying off with both sexes now completing the half marathon in record time. On average, females in the older age group are finishing the run over 10 minutes faster (10.11minutes), while men are almost five minutes quicker than they were six years ago (4.48minutes).

Become an AOP

Simon Fairthorne, physiotherapist from Bupa's Barbican Centre for Sports Medicine, London, offers three tips on how to become an Athletic Older Person:

Ease yourself in - if you have not exercised for a long period, it is best to start off slowly

If you have any ongoing medical conditions it would be sensible to check with your doctor first

Keep hydrated throughout exercising

Stay motivated - listening to music, exercising with friends and varying your exercise routine will all help keep you on track

For more information about the benefits of exercise visit
bupa.co.uk/individuals/health-information/directory/b/benefits-of-exercise

or for advice on starting an exercise regime later in life visit
bupa.co.uk/individuals/health-information/directory/e/exercise-older-people