Short and sweat

IT seems going for the burn in your twilight years may be good for you after all.

New Scottish research shows short six-second bursts of vigorous exercise has the potential to transform the health of elderly people and consequently avoid “astronomical health care costs of an aging population”.

A pilot study involving 12 pensioners showed pushing fitness boundaries in very short bursts reduced blood pressure and improved general fitness over time.

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is currently popular for promising some of the same benefits as conventional exercise but in a much shorter time.

Jackie Hanley, senior health and physical activity development officer at Oldham Community Leisure, said they are staunch supporters of exercise for older people.

She says they have an extensive programme of activities specifically geared to their abilities and the new research could be groundbreaking in re-thinking how elderly people exercise.

Jackie did stress however it’s all down to an individual’s health and ability.

OCL offers a host of older adult classes ranging from chair based exercise, to line dancing, specialist gym classes, bowls, over 50s football, Zumba and water aerobics.

Details at www.oclactive.co.uk.