RMIT forum in Hamilton Vic explores health and ageing
A community forum held by RMIT University at Hamilton has encouraged better health among older people, spreading the word about the benefits of regular exercise in preventing illness and injury.
Challenging the Stereotypes is a local project delivering the messages of the Go For Your Life campaign in the areas of healthy eating, water intake and physical activity, both within workplaces and across the community.
Professor Stephen Bird, discipline head of Exercise Sciences in RMIT’s School of Medicine, was the key speaker at the forum, which focused on the prevention of chronic diseases in people aged over 50.
“Regular physical activity could prevent almost 33% of chronic heart disease, 25% of diabetes, 12% of breast cancer, 15% of stroke and 10% to 16% of hip fractures in the ageing population,” Professor Bird said.
“As little as 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise on most days plus three strength sessions a week and general activity around the household and garden is enough to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity among older people.”
During his presentation on ‘The Ageing Athlete’, which was attended by more than 65 people, Professor Bird also looked at research that showed it was never too late to reap the benefits from starting an exercise program.
