Older Australians more likely to exercise daily
Mary Thomas trains every day to keep fit for her shot put, javelin and hammer throwing.
At the tender age of 75, decorated Wollongong athlete Mary Thomas — who could be described as a fitness fanatic — is not your average septuagenarian.
Ms Thomas trains every day and just last year was named World Masters Thrower of the Year as she continued to break records in javelin, discus and other disciplines.
“In 1969, I was the Australian Open champion with a wooden javelin,” Ms Thomas said.
“After [recent] operations I have to have a little rest, but it doesn’t take me long to get back into it,” she said.
New data from the ABC’s Australia Talks National Survey has found, perhaps surprisingly, that the oldest Australians are exercising more than anyone else.
The survey of 54,000 people reveals 43 per cent of those aged 75 and over are exercising every day and 75 per cent are exercising at least once a week.
A 75-year-old like Mary Thomas still competing internationally may be uncommon, but many older Australians are discovering a renewed passion for moderate exercise later in life.
Never too late to increase fitness
Kathy Zoszak was convinced to join an exercise group three months ago.
“I’m turning 73 next month and exercise has not been part of my regime of activities,” Ms Zoszak said.
But since joining the group Silver Sneakers, her scepticism has slowly melted away.
“It has been the greatest surprise to myself,” she said.
“I’m an enthusiastic exercise supporter and I have maintained the activities we did in class with zest and vigour.
Partly this is because of the additional benefits the class has brought through social interaction.
“It is something that has lifted us not just physically but mentally as well,” she said.
“We have made friendships and created a support group along the way.”
Less organised exercise in regional areas
About 70 per cent of Australians say they are in good physical health, with the more highly educated and high-income earners enjoying the best health, according to the Australia Talks National Survey.
Your location in a city or region is also likely to help determine your health and exercise levels, with people in the regions generally worse off.
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Kelly Andrews, general manager of health promotion organisation Healthy Cities Illawarra said this was because regional areas had less access to organised sport, and the tyranny of distance meant higher costs.
“In the city you might think there are very urban populations, but what that does is create town planners that look at walkability and connectivity between urban areas to enable more walking, even if it’s walking to the bus stop or train stop,” Ms Andrews said.
“Things are further away and just the financial ability for people to engage in structured activities is always a bit tougher in the regions,” she said.
Ms Andrews, who works for Healthy Cities Illawarra, advocates that everybody makes time to exercise a few times a week. She simply encourages others to follow their passion, no matter what that is.
“Get out and do what you like,” she said.
“I’m doing something every day, I can’t stay home and do nothing, you have got to have something to look forward to.”
The Australia Talks National Survey asked 54,000 Australians about their lives and what keeps them up at night. Use our interactive tool to see the results and how their answers compare with yours.
Then, tune in at 8.30pm on November 18, as the ABC hosts a live TV event with some of Australia’s best-loved celebrities exploring the key findings of the Australia Talks National Survey.
