PHYSIOTHERAPIST Lynne Midwinter gave a highly entertaining talk called "Keeping Fit As The Years Roll By" to members of Todmorden's University of the Third Age.
Speaking at the Central Methodist Church, Lynne explained why exercise was so beneficial, improving flexibility, building up stronger muscle strength, lowering blood pressure, boosting the immune system and improving circulation and the quality and d
uration of sleep.
Stress and depression can also be reduced by exercise, since this releases more endorphins which are natural painkillers and also improve the emotional state.
Keeping fit also reduces the risk of injury through falls. Discussing flexibility, Lynne pointed out that arthritis of the hip and knee is largely a western disease and is unknown in those third world countries where people squat rather than sit.
She went on to list the dangers of immobility and warned members not to assume lack of fitness was a natural consequence of the ageing process. Limiting your exercise was the slippery slope leading to disability and lack of independence.
Going on to the types of exercise most useful, she cheered many in the audience by asserting her opinion that running was a greatly over-rated activity! She said swimming was ideal for those people who were past walking any distance.
Her top tips for successful exercise were: don't be frightened to get out of breath; do something weight bearing; do something you enjoy doing; company really helps; set yourself realistic goals; reward yourself.
Two sessions of 30 minutes a week were the absolute minimum needed for health, but people should aim for five sessions, she said. For stamina, any activity which got you out of breath was useful. To improve balance, which causes most problems later on, practice standing on one leg and once that is accomplished try it with closed eyes.
Since rotation is always the first movement to go, Lynne said try stretching and rotating activities once or twice a day. Her final tips were: stand tall; rotate the thorax; when queuing or standing try the "ballerina position" (standing with heel of one foot to the instep of the other), which will exercise and tauten muscles.
Lynne was thanked by Alan McDonald for her talk. The meeting continued with a short presentation by the convenors of the various activity groups which have so far been organised by U3A.
The computer group is working on setting up websites and a concert party group is hoping to provide entertainment for others and is looking for people who could perform in any way - enthusiasm is more important than talent. The science group is studying an introduction to fusion research.
The French conversation sessions, for those who had a little French and wished to improve it, will begin on July 7. Members of the literature group will be giving presentations on their favourite authors. The Spanish group, once a convenor has been found, would be offering Spanish at any level.
The writers' group had held some successful meetings, with members producing work on the subject of "Dance". World faith and family history groups were also operating.
