Over 60? Time for a ‘Functional Fitness MOT’

OVER 60’s living in the Thame area are being invited to take a FREE ‘Functional Fitness MOT’ with a team of professionals, to test how fit they are compared to others of the same age.

The back scratch…top marks apparently!

The tests are very straight forward and include things like standing up from a seated position with your arms folded, seeing how far down your own back you can reach with each arm, hand grip strength, and how long you can stand on one leg! The results will give you an idea of whether you are ‘doing well’ compared to your peers or whether you could benefit from being a little more active. A pack given at the end of the MOT lists some local activity opportunities that you might like to join in with and some online websites for more information.

There will also be stalls from the following organisations to give information and advice:

AGE UK Oxford including the Community Information Network
Thame Leisure Centre including GO ACTIVE
The British Heart Foundation
Diabetes UK
Dementia Oxfordshire
Occupational Therapy

Local activity opportunities for the over 60s include Tai Chi at Christchurch, Thame, Chair-based activities at St Joseph’s Church, Thame, Health Walks from the Thame Barns Centre and Healthy Heart Circuit Classes for the Older Generation at Racquets Fitness Centre in Thame.

Thame.Net’s Editor, Sonja Francis, went along for a dummy run with local Physiotherapist, Anita Clayton, to see for herself how the MOT worked and to try some of the fitness tests herself.

“Anita was very friendly and reassuring and explained the tests clearly and what they were designed to test,” said Sonja. None of them were difficult – they’re not designed to test you to the limit or cause any pain, and I didn’t feel judged in any way. Of course, being a middle-aged, fit-ish walker and cyclist I expected to pass with flying colours – which I did mainly, though one of the tests did show a bit of stiffness in my back which I shall now go away and work on. Anita recommended a spot of yoga or pilates.”

Creeeek! Oooh me back!

The purpose of maintaining as high a level of fitness as possible, and remaining as active as possible as we age, is of course to prevent health problems into the future. Avoiding falls and other accidents caused by losing balance, muscle weakness or medical emergencies like stroke and heart-attack, means less visits and stays in hospital which, not only is good for us, but is good for the over-stretched NHS and the other support services.

The Functional Fitness MOT Day is at Thame Town Hall on Friday, September 15th, from 9.30am to 12.30pm. You can either book by phoning Anita Clayton on 01844 217646 or just turn up.