Trinity College Dublin running Free Online Course: Strategies for Successful Ageing - Register Now!
by
Aisling Grimley.
This course sounds really good. I hope to sign up to it. Have a look at the line-up of speakers below. Also read about a new study from TCD out this week about the benefits of walking 150 minutes a week.
Strategies for successful ageing.
ABOUT THE COURSE
How do you feel about ageing? What choices are you making to stay happy, healthy, socially-connected and active as you age?
During this five-week course, distinguished academics and physicians at Trinity College Dublin will present world-leading research in successful ageing, which may challenge many of the assumptions you have about growing old.
Learn strategies and tips for healthy, active ageing
Full details here.
Walking 150 Minutes per Week Associated With Improved Wellbeing In Over-50s
New research using data from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) at Trinity College Dublin shows that being physically active, for example by walking for at least 150 minutes per week, is associated with more social participation and better mental health and wellbeing.
However, only three out of five Irish adults aged 50 years and over walk for the recommended target of at least 150 minutes per week. The findings, which come from two separate reports, are summarised in a Research Brief released by TILDA today.
The findings show that:
- Two-thirds of the Irish population aged 50 years and older report low or moderate levels of physical activity while only one-third report high levels of activity, based on the International Physical Activity Questionnaire.
- Middle-aged and older Irish adults with high levels of physical activity report greater participation in social activities, less anxiety, better quality of life, and less loneliness compared to those with low physical activity levels.
- Middle-aged and older adults with low levels of physical activity are over twice as likely to have clinically relevant depressive symptoms as those with high levels of physical activity (14% versus 6%).
- Interventions should specifically target women, older adults, those in employment, those who are not engaged in non-church related social activities and those living in built-up areas such as apartments.
These findings also provide a profile of those who are less active which can be used to ensure that the appropriate groups are targeted for intervention as part of health promotion campaigns and initiatives.
Full details here.