AusLeisure

A Fitness Australia Forum has today (1st November) focussed on how the fitness industry can help older Australians achieve fitter and healthier lives.

Speaking at the annual Health and Fitness Industry Forum, Fitness Australia Chief Executive Lauretta Stace explained "given the rise of chronic conditions among an ageing population, Fitness Australia recognises the importance of helping older Australians maintain a fit and healthy lifestyle."

The Forum included a keynote address from Professor Kerryn Phelps who discussed chronic disease prevention, overcoming barriers to healthy ageing and the essential role of fitness in healthy ageing.

Physical inactivity is the fourth leading risk factor for mortality and contributes an estimated $719 million per annum to avoidable healthcare costs in Australia. By 2050, real health spending on those aged over 65 years is expected to increase around seven-fold in Australia and for those over 85 years, it is expected to increase around 12-fold. An ageing population means more people depending on the aged care and health system.

Speaking at the Forum Stace added "we know that two thirds of Australians are not undertaking sufficient physical activity to incur health benefits4 and the number of people aged 85 and over is expected to more than quadruple to 1.8 million by 2050 so it is critical that the fitness industry takes a lead in helping older Australians stay fit and healthy."

Fitness Australia's Australian Fitness Industry Economic Contribution Report 2010-12 modelling study, found that an increase in fitness centre participation of just 3% of the adult population would potentially deliver health care savings in the order of $204.8 million.

Stace explained "being healthy as you grow older doesn't have to be hard, in fact it can be easy when you have considered a person's overall health needs.

"That is why we have developed an Adult Pre-Exercise Screening System to help exercise professionals offer safe and quality programs to suit a person's specific needs. And we are continuing to build better linkages with health professionals, so that they are more confident in directing their patients to quality providers of structured physical activity. And it is important to remember that being fit can dramatically improve the quality of day-to-day life for older people. It isn't just about saving the tax payer money, it is also about ensuring that we help people live life to the fullest."

Fitness Australia in partnership with the Exercise and Sports Science Australia and Sports Medicine Australia developed the Adult Pre-Exercise Screening System. The Pre-Exercise Screening System will improve the confidence of health professionals and exercise professionals in recommending people to undertake physical activity programs by taking into consideration their health.

Stace concluded "the reality is that fitness businesses and health professionals must start making the connection if we are to meet the health challenges facing our population. The fitness industry is ready to play its part in healthy ageing."

The Fitness Australia Health and Fitness Industry Forum was held in advance of the Australian Health and Fitness Industry Quality Awards 2013. 

11th May 2013 - SURVEY TO ASSESS RISK MANAGEMENT IN FITNESS

20th October 2012 - FITNESS AUSTRALIA FINDINGS SHOW A HEALTHIER AND FITTER FUTURE

28th June 2012 - EXERCISE PROVEN TO REDUCE AUSTRALIANS’ DIABETES RISK 

21st October 2011 - FITNESS NOT FATNESS SHOULD BE MANTRA ​

2nd September 2011 - GLOBAL GOVERNMENTS MUST ‘GET TOUGH ON OBESITY’

19th August 2009 - ONE MILLION MORE AUSTRALIANS DO REGULAR PHYSICAL EXERCISE 

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