Time for Action: Advocacy for Physical Activity in Later Life

Abstract

By 2050, the over 65 year's age group will account for approximately one quarter of the population. This will have many unprecedented social and economic consequences of which one is the cost associated with health. A preventive health related behaviour attracting considerable attention is physical activity, something that becomes less popular with age. Nonetheless, sustained physical activity can minimize the physiological effects of a sedentary lifestyle as well as hinder the onset and progression of some chronic diseases and disabling conditions frequently associated with later life. Although there is a substantial body of research telling about the benefits, this is yet to impact what happens in the community. This article comments on the changing demographic, the inactive phenomenon, and reflects on what is currently happening with regards to enticing a greater proportion of the older population into a physically active lifestyle.