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Why motivation – and social connection – matter Walk into a lively chair-based exercise class and you will notice more than movement. You will hear names being used, laughter shared, stories swapped and small wins celebrated. These moments do more than lift the mood; they nurture the kind of motivation that keeps people coming back. […]
For most healthy adults, regularly needing more than about nine hours of sleep each night can be a sign that something is amiss. While the occasional lie-in after travel, illness, intense physical activity, or a string of late nights is perfectly normal and usually harmless, consistently sleeping for long periods – especially if you still […]
Sensory losses, particularly those affecting vision and hearing, are common among older adults and can have a profound impact on their ability to participate safely and effectively in chair-based exercise classes. As health professionals and exercise instructors, it is essential to recognise how these impairments may influence engagement, safety, and overall experience, and to adapt […]
From the moment we are born until the end of our lives, the way we spend our time is shaped by a combination of necessity, routine, and personal choice. If we consider the average lifespan in the United Kingdom to be around eighty years, it becomes fascinating to reflect on how those years are distributed […]
Frailty is a complex condition often seen in older adults, characterised by increased vulnerability to stressors due to a decline in physiological reserves across various bodily systems. While it is frequently associated with advanced age, chronic diseases, and physical inactivity, frailty is not an inevitable part of the ageing process. It signifies a loss of […]
This week, I read an interesting article in The Guardian about the growing evidence that regular exercise is important for everyone, but also about the fact that many people still do not do it. The editorial was quite short – just over 500 words – but it was full of information and hidden meaning. For […]
Engaging in regular physical activity is one of the most important lifestyle choices a person can make to improve their health, both physically and mentally. Despite this, many people face significant barriers that prevent them from beginning or maintaining an exercise routine. These barriers, ranging from lack of time and confidence to financial constraints and […]
In recent weeks, the conversation surrounding weight loss drugs seems to have intensified, dominating radio discussions and filling my newsfeeds with numerous articles. Since the approval of the weight loss drug Wegovy in the UK in 2023, the drug has generated remarkable demand, largely due to its impressive clinical trial results, where patients reported an […]
The stereotype of the grumpy old man (or woman) remains deeply entrenched in popular culture and social consciousness, perpetuated through various media representations and cultural narratives. These stereotypes often portray older adults as inherently irritable, difficult, or cantankerous. However, contemporary psychological research presents a markedly different picture that challenges these long-held assumptions about the relationship […]
In a recent BBC Radio 4 podcast “What’s Up Docs?”, featuring Drs Chris and Xand van Tulleken and Professor Philip Conaghan, the importance of strength training over aerobic exercise for joint health in older adults was emphasised. As our understanding of ageing and physical fitness evolves, traditional perspectives on exercise are being reassessed. Research shows […]
