Physical inactivity in prevails in later life

The majority of people over 70 years may self-report themselves to be in good health but just being older means they are more likely to experience a range of health related ups and downs than in their younger years. One explanation for this is that the older population carries a progressively heavier burden of chronic disease and disability than their younger cohorts. With a changing demographic and in particular an ageing population, it is not surprising that politicians and health professionals are keen to intervene – mostly because of a presumed high cost of not-so-good health

Should physical activity be on the healthy ageing agenda?

Physical activity makes a notable contribution to one’s independence, ability to perform everyday tasks and quality of life in the later years, but engagement in this health-related behaviour decreases with age. It is therefore not surprising that numerous intervention strategies have been applied in many settings to encourage a physically active lifestyle. Nonetheless, these have little long-lasting effect. Knowing how best to promote such behaviour to people over 65 years old in a way that makes them feel I want to engage is still in its infancy. This paper reflects on how ageing influences the decisions people in later life make in relation to adopting a physically active lifestyle, and how any advocacy needs to look beyond the physical experience. Knowing of the potential benefits to be gained from this self-regulating behaviour means it warrants a more prominent place on the promoting healthy ageing agenda

Leisure in the later years

It is evident that the changing demographic structure of the population along with the emergence of a consumer culture will have implications with regards to leisure for people in later life. Leisure may afford freedom for self-expression not always available in other life contexts. However, there are a number of challenges at the personal and community level that need to be better understood in order to realise such a possibility. This article highlights some of the opportunities and constraints that impact on and influence the leisure of people in their later years

Recreation in the ME or is it WE jungle

At this years Thinking Recreation symposium I was inspired by the enthusiasm delegates shared for debating, rather than seeking solutions to, a range of issues such as youth deviance, physical inactivity, resource allocation, and managing the environment. However, it was the discussion about some of the invisible influences on our work that really aroused my curiosity. In particular, the thought-provoking workshop by Robyn Cockburn on Systems Theory inspired some critical ‘thinking about recreation’. In his review of the symposium published in the 06 Spring Issue of Australasian Parks and Leisure, Geoff Canham said that this (i.e. Systems Theory) session “drew the most feedback and stimulated much discussion long after it ended”. It was evident many delegates had a desire to look beyond the pragmatics of recreation although this can pose challenges of the intellectual kind. I recall one delegate saying, “I liked the session on that theory but it can be frustrating when talking about something that seems quite vague even though you know it relates to what happens in your work.” Although ideas such as those espoused by Systems Theory are complex and often seem a little distant from the reality of our work, they are useful in helping explain something about the why and what we do

Retirement villages: An alternative form of housing on an ageing landscape

Retirement villages are a relatively new form of housing to appear on the ageing landscape. The demand for this style of living by a small, but increasing, proportion of the older population suggests these places provide a viable alternative lifestyle to that in the broader community. This seems to be the case particularly for those older people who experience changing circumstances that detract from the quality of life to which they had been accustomed. What research is available suggests that these places can engender the feeling of community and provide the basis for, and a constructive way of, influencing an individual’s social and psychological identification. However, retirement villages are not free from controversy, nor are they an antidote to ageing. Hence, we would do well to learn more about the way these places function as well as examine the experiences of the people who live there. Such information would be useful to inform future policy initiatives with regard to these age-segregated communities

Searching for satisfaction

Consumerism is the way of life in the 21st century. Everything is for sale, principally to those with the resources – which is where the profit lies. But it's a competitive market so people from all walks of life are being coerced to part with their discretionary dollars. Leisure is like most other aspects of life - a commodity, a range of goods and services for sale - so it is no surprise that economic viability attracts more attention than social capital

‘You’re never too old’: beliefs about physical activity and playing sport in later life

It was evident from interviews with 15 men and women over 70 years of age that the experiences derived from being physically active and playing sport in later life are expansive, dynamic and completely imbued with multiple interpretations. Furthermore, their beliefs support the notion that the physically active body should be considered more than a physical object, as it represents a conscious, feeling, thinking and reflective self. The findings signify much is to be gained by regularly partaking in deliberate physical activity during later life although this is not always as easy as it sounds. At a personal level, changes in functional capacity and dealing with the sometimes ailing body can serve as a deterrent. From a broader perspective, the stigma associated with being older also poses a significant physical, sociological and psychological challenge, particularly during the initial phases. In conclusion, the study discusses why change must occur at a personal and societal level before a greater proportion of the older population become more physically active

They're not doing bad for their age: ageing, leisure and active living.

The article focuses on the life of elderly people. The majority of older people are fit and well, live independently and are actively engaged in their community. However, the time has come to view ageing in a more constructive way and in so doing liberate people in their last 10, 20 or 30 years of life from the negative effects of the labels--ageing, aged and old. In addition to personal characteristics, the positive ageing experience is also influenced by the way older people themselves interact with and negotiate the many forces in relationships, stereotypes and prejudices, economic conditions, social and cultural expectations, living arrangements and job opportunities. The evidence suggests that these forces take on greater significance with age because related inequalities experienced in earlier life tend to be accentuated in the later years , particularly for women

Sport and education: Sport in secondary schools for all or for some?

The place of sport in schools has always been controversial and struggled to gain legitimacy and acceptance as a part of the formal curriculum. While some commentators argue sport has no place in the curriculum, others claim it is too important to be left to chance and, like other aspects of education, it can and should be pursued for its own intrinsic value. For example, Siedentop (1982, p. 2) stated, 'if sport is equal to other ludic [movement] forms (art, drama, music and dance) both for the individual and the culture; and if more appropriate participation in sport represents a positive step in cultural evolution then sport in education is justified'. From another but still supportive perspective, Arnold (1997, p. I) claimed, 'sport is a trans-cultural valued practice ... and despite its corruption from time to time it is inherently concerned with concepts, ethical principles and moral values which are universally applicable and justified as a form of education