The “Senior in good shape” project: how to encourage older people to exercise?
According to the MultiSport Index 2023 survey, 76% of Poles over 60 years of age do not engage in any physical activity, even once a week. To enable seniors to maintain good psychophysical condition for years, the MultiSport Foundation together with the Polish Nordic Walking Association initiated a pilot programme called “Senior in good shape.” Its aim is not only to increase the level of physical activity in this age group, but also to integrate and create an active community. The programme is co-financed by the Ministry of Sport and Tourism.
Regular exercise plays an important role in maintaining good physical and mental condition of seniors. Physical activity supports not only muscular and cardiovascular fitness, but also cognitive functions, improves well-being and reduces stress and the risk of many diseases.
Despite the obvious benefits of exercise, activating seniors is becoming an increasingly greater social challenge. According to MultiSport Index 2023 data, currently 76% of people over 60 years of age do not undertake any physical activity even once a week. Meanwhile, the World Health Organisation recommends that people over the age of 65 engage in at least 2.5 hours of moderate-intensity or at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week. Muscle strengthening exercises are also recommended at least twice a week.
In response to the alarmingly low level of physical activity among seniors in Poland, the MultiSport Foundation launched a sports and educational project called “Senior in good shape.”
As part of the programme, seniors are offered free running and Nordic walking classes – a popular form of activity for people over 60 years of age. The trainings combine sports and educational elements – during them seniors can learn more about proper nutrition and the role of physical activity in a healthy life. Classes are conducted by qualified trainers and instructors.
– Appropriate frequency and intensity of exercise are crucial for the health of seniors. Neglecting this area may lead to serious health consequences. Physical activity is a very important element of health prevention, which also includes aspects of mental health. We are pleased to launch the “Senior in good shape” programme that focuses on promoting a healthy and active lifestyle among this important age group. Nordic walking, which is an integral part of the programme, offers numerous health benefits for seniors, including improving physical condition, strengthening muscles, and having a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system. Additionally, this form of activity helps improve motor coordination and reduce mental tension, which translates into an overall positive impact on the psychophysical health of seniors – emphasises Dr. Tomasz Półgrabski, President of the MultiSport Foundation.
Despite the low level of activity of seniors in Poland, research shows that they are aware of the psychophysical benefits of exercise. Already 41% of active people in the 60+ group point to health prevention as the strongest motivator to take up physical activity, and 26% see relaxation and pleasure in an active lifestyle. For one in ten seniors (12%), the main motivator to exercise is to improve their mood, and for 5% – doctor’s recommendations. Moreover, 78% of people over 60 years of age agree that increasing the level of physical activity improves mental health, and 75% notice its impact on reducing stress and bad emotions.
An additional benefit of an active lifestyle for seniors is a significant reduction in the sense of loneliness that more and more people in this age group struggle with. This is also confirmed by research published in Geriatric Nursing: physical activity is associated with a lower likelihood of social isolation. In the case of seniors who exercise moderately, this risk decreases by 31%, and in the case of those who exercise intensively – by 35%.
About the MultiSport Foundation
The MultiSport Foundation, established by Benefit Systems in 2021, actively fights against hypokinesia, i.e. motor immobility, which the World Health Organisation considers one of the key threats to modern civilisation. In response to the increasing number of hours Poles spend sitting and in front of screens, the foundation conducts activities aimed at promoting health and an active lifestyle among various social groups. It implements projects that increase the availability of sports infrastructure, provides knowledge about the impact of exercise on psychophysical well-being and cooperates with various organisations to shape healthy habits and break stereotypes related to sports. More information about the MultiSport Foundation can be found at https://fundacjamultisport.pl/ and Facebook.
