As you get older, you may find that muscle strength is reduced and you are less steady on your feet. Some movements, such as leaning sideways or turning quickly, can cause a loss of balance. This can begin earlier than you may expect, from your early fifties onwards. To prevent a loss of balance and strength over time, strength-building exercises are recommended.
Stronger 4 Longer is a new campaign helping people aged 50 to 65 to build strength through everyday movement in order to stay well, feel younger and protect their future health.
Key Facts:
- From our 30s, we start losing 3-5% of muscle mass per decade. Less muscle can lead to greater weakness and loss of mobility.
- Bone mass starts to decline from the age of 40. By the age of 65, some women have lost around half of their bone mass.
- Important joints such as hips and shoulders also become less flexible. From the age of 55, range of hip movement declines by 6-7 degrees per decade, which affects movements like bending over, standing up, climbing stairs and walking. Range of movement in the shoulders declines 5-6 degrees per decade – this affects our ability to reach up, behind and to the sides.
For more information and to access our online resources follow the link: Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership – Stronger 4 Longer (sasp.co.uk).