Free cycling courses

Free cycling courses are being offered to people over 50 in York as part of Age Concern’s Fit As A Fiddle project. Similar sessions took place earlier this year and proved a success. The scheme, funded by the Big Lottery, includes six free cycling courses this month and next month in Acomb, Haxby, Fulford, New Earswick, Rawcliffe and Rowntree Park.

The free cycling courses will cover basic bike maintenance, cycling training and confidence and a led cycle ride by qualified instructors in the last week. They are aimed at beginners but those with experience can join as well.

The first course starts at York RI in New Lane, Acomb, tomorrow, at 11.30am.
City of York Council's sport and active leisure team joined forces with Age Concern to offer York residents aged 50 and over the chance to try a range of different activities for free.

The project - 'Fit as a Fiddle' - has been designed to make people over 50 more aware of the physical activity opportunities available across the city. Sessions earlier this year included line dancing, chair based exercise classes, pilates, tai chi, fun and easy aerobics, yoga, square dancing, country dancing, bowling, petanque, archery and salsa.

After each session participants will be informed of where they can continue to participate in the sport if they wish to.

For more information telephone Fit As A Fiddle co-ordinator for Age Concern Katie Ellis on 01904 553440 or email katie.ellis@york.gov.

We now know - we are fitter than our kids!

THE average 50-year-old is now healthier and fitter than someone half their age, a study has revealed.

It found the average 25-year-old in Britain consumes more than 2300 calories a day, exercises only three times a week and scoffs 12 types of junk food a month.

But the typical 50-year-old has only 1990 calories each day, does at least four forms of exercise and treats themselves to just one piece of junk food each week.

And while those in their mid-20s have three takeaways a month, the older generation have only one.

Around 4000 people aged 16 to 80 were quizzed as part of the diet and lifestyle study, which was commissioned by global nutrition and direct selling firm Herbalife.

The survey found over-50s were more likely to walk during the day - to the shops or with the dog - while those in their 20s tend to drive everywhere. But when it comes to excuses for not exercising, more than a third of 25-year-olds blame lack of time, compared to 22 per cent of over-50s.

Is this generation really going to live longer than us.......

Study proves that older adults are mentally tough

A study published today in the Medical Journal of Australia shows a link between physical and mental decline in older adults.

The study found that rates of depression in older Australian adults are not as high as previous research studies have indicated.

"Depression amongst older adults is the exception not the rule in older adults," said Dr Jon Pfaff, the study's lead author, based at the Western Australian Centre for Health and Ageing.

Professor Osvaldo Almeida, Director of Research at the Western Australian Centre for Health and Ageing, said the results were very exciting for two reasons.

"We were able to confirm that poor physical health has a significant impact on mental wellbeing and, more importantly, we showed that older people are mentally very resilient, as only significant physical disability seems to undermine good mental health," Professor Almeida said.

"It is as if the mind does not suffer the effects of ageing in the same way that the body does; our minds remain young until very late in life."

Previous studies have shown that this age group responds well to treatment.

So yet again more evidence of the importance of staying physically fit. As we are keep reporting you are never too old to start a fitness programme.