Sport England launches audio exercise routines for older people

Sport England has launched a 10-minute audio exercise routine to help keep older people active and healthy throughout the Coronavirus lockdown.

The launch of the audio exercises has been inspired by Japan’s Radio Taiso. The Japanese radio station has been running a national exercise programme across Japan that aims to get older people moving at home and stretching and this has proved extremely popular.

Older people with mobility problems that need stair lifts or other aids to get around their home are not left out as there are accessible exercises on offer to people who are less mobile.

The audio exercise routines from Sport England can be accessed via BBC Sounds and it is hoped that the exercises could help the physical and mental health of the 7.4 million people over the age of 70 living in the UK during the restrictions.

The programme being run by Sport England is called ‘10 Today’ and this initiative follows the launch of the ‘Join the Movement’ campaign that encourages people of all ages to be active at home.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Tim Hollingsworth, who is the Chief Executive at Sport England, said: “As we all commit to stay home, save lives and protect the NHS - being active, and the mental and physical boost it can bring has never been more important. This is especially true for older people, many who will also be managing the loneliness of being separated from children and grandchildren at this time.”

A pilot scheme was run where more than 1,700 older people took part in the 10-minute audio exercises and this revealed that participants sleep patterns and mood improved. They also discovered that some older people saw their balance get better, suffer from fewer aches and pains as well as an improvement in existing joint pain.