Keeping active
Being physically active improves health and wellbeing at all ages. Even small increases in activity can make a difference.
Regular activity can help to:
- reduce the risk of long-term conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers
- improve mood, sleep, energy levels and manage stress
- support healthy weight, strength and mobility
- reduce the risk of falls and support independence as we age
Physical activity benefits everyone, including:
- children and young people - supporting healthy growth, learning and social skills
- adults -help maintain physical and mental health
- during and after pregnancy - supporting wellbeing for both parent and baby
Further information is available on the NHS inform website.
Older adults
There are many benefits of physical activity for older adults (65 and over). As you get older, regular physical activity will:
- help you to age well
- keep good physical and mental function
- create opportunities for social interaction
- create a sense of control and responsibility over your own health and wellbeing
- help you manage and cope with health conditions or physical limitations
There are many suitable activities being offered, examples include:
- strength and balance type classes
- walking sports, including tennis, football, rugby and netball
- exercise to music
- chair based yoga
- Tai-Chi
- Wellbeing Walks
Through Public Health funding the Council are delivering community based falls prevention programmes with the aim to reduce the health impact and healthcare burden of falls and fall-related injury among older adults by providing accessible, safe and effective community-based strength and balance activities.
As part of these targeted programmes we will be capturing evidence based data via the following:
- Pre-attendance questionnaire – to be completed before starting or as you start a funded class
- Post-attendance questionnaire – to be completed once the funded programme has been finished
- Short physical performance test – to be completed within the programmes by instructor
Healthy You
Healthy You is a countywide lifestyle service supporting people who wish to make changes to their lifestyle. A Coordinator leads on Healthy You in each of the districts; providing support to individuals, communities, clubs and other organisations to develop accessible opportunities and engagement in physical activity, as well as develop programmes that support healthy eating.
Further information on the Healthy you service on the Healthy You Cambrigeshire website