According to a new study, middle-aged people above the age of 55 should exercise more often, if they want to ensure better fitness post-retirement. Being active has many mental, social, and physical benefits in store for people, especially for people approaching their retirement, provided they are engaged in some form of regular exercise or physical activity.
"Adults are spending more years of their life working than ever before. Retiring is a life-changing event which provides all sorts of opportunities - but it coincides with declining physical activity, health and wellbeing," said the study's lead author Charlotte Salter from the University of East Anglia in England.
"From the age of around 55, people begin thinking about retirement and making plans for their future," Salter said.
The research team also interviewed people at retirement age about staying physically active.
"In order to enjoy a fit and healthy retirement, a really key thing is that people need to maintain their physical fitness through their fifties and beyond.
"But we found that there are many barriers to this - from poor health, lack of motivation and the cost and availability of sports, activities and fitness classes, to not having enough time - due to work or in many cases because of caring responsibilities," Salter added.
The researchers highlighted ways in which employers and healthcare providers could do more to promote physical fitness to people over 55. Additionally, sports centres and community fitness projects could also play a significant part in encouraging healthy ageing.
"There is no one-size-fits all approach. But we found that activity that is combined with socialising, or other purposeful actions such as dog walking, gardening, housework, childcare or volunteering, were all good ways for over-55s to remain active," she added.
Retirement can free up time, but your deteriorating health may become a cause of concern in years to come. This is why it is important to keep yourself fit until the retirement, while exercise may be a good way to ensure healthy well-being- you could try revamping your healthy diet too.
