Move It Or Lose It

It is the age old saying we hear regularly but let’s have a look at why it holds true and why it is important to stay active as we age.

THE REALITY OF MUSCLE LOSS

We lose muscle as we age — fast. The facts are after age 30, we lose 3-8% of muscle mass per decade and after the age of 60 this rate of decline is even higher. This loss of muscle mass and strength due to ageing is known as sarcopenia.

BONE HEALTH AND OSTEOPOROSIS

It’s not just muscle — bones are at risk too. Osteoporosis is a condition where bones become weaker due to a loss of density which increases the risk of fractures. Osteoporosis is closely linked to ageing, however, inactivity can increase the risk.

THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

This is where use it or lose it comes into play. Regular physical activity helps slow muscle loss and stimulates bone growth. Even just 2-3 times a week can make a huge difference!

BEING PROACTIVE

For the younger people reading this, the graph below shows the importance of physical activity in the early stages of life and maintaining it through adult life as this will pay dividends when you get older.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

If you are already doing regular physical activity, that is great! However, if you are someone who is not sure where to start here are some ideas:

• Daily walk or bike ride

• Group strength class

• Yoga

• Tennis or pickleball

• Golf

• Gardening

Remember, these are just some ideas and there are plently of different forms of physical activity you can do. Start small and stay consistent!

WE ARE HERE TO HELP

Still unsure where to start? Ripple Osteopathy can help you move and feel better as well as pointing you in the right direction to help protect your future health. You can book by clicking the link below or give us a call on 0437 594 384.