Making your next move

Last year, we launched Act Now, Age Better: a campaign that shared how moving more can keep us all feeling stronger and fitter for longer.

Now, we're back to challenge people aged 50-65 to take the next step towards a better later life – all with the help of partners and supporters from across the world of sport, movement and physical activity.

Why we need to act now

The average life expectancy in the UK now stands at 79.1 years for men and 83 years for women, and a greater proportion of us than ever before are older.

But while we’re living longer, we’re not necessarily living better. Older people continue to face significant challenges, including poverty, care issues, and loneliness. Many will have been impacted by the damaging effects of our ageist society – as highlighted by the Centre for Ageing Better’s recent Age Without Limits campaign. And despite the rise in average life expectancy, an increasing number of people across the country are spending the later years of their life in poor health.

In fact, recent research has shown that 1 in 5 people aged 50+ are living with two or more long-term health conditions such as diabetes, arthritis and heart disease. This rises to 2 in 3 people over 80.

But it may be possible to reduce the risk of health problems by taking earlier action. Not all illness is avoidable, but 1 in 6 deaths in the UK is linked to physical inactivity – so while genetics influence how we age, our daily habits also play a crucial role.

How physical activity can help

Scientific studies consistently show that regular physical activity reduces the risk of long-term conditions like dementia, heart disease, diabetes and osteoporosis. And even small amounts of movement can have an impact.

What’s more, different sports can help in different ways. Aerobic activities like running, cycling and swimming can make our heart and lungs stronger, meaning we’ll feel less breathless climbing stairs or walking longer distances. Meanwhile, resistance and weight-bearing activities like boxing, CrossFit and Nordic walking help maintain muscle mass and bone density, which will make activities like carrying shopping and lifting heavy objects easier.

GP, personal trainer and health coach Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi is supporting Act Now, Age Better for its second year, and has created a leaflet all about how different sports can contribute to healthy ageing.

What to expect from this year’s campaign

We’re building on last year's success, and have teamed up with more than 50 partners and supporters – including the FA, British Cycling, England Rugby and Parkrun – to make this year’s campaign even bigger, better and bolder.

There’s plenty of ways to get involved with all the sports and activities on offer – from group walks with the Ramblers to walking cricket with a range of local partners. And the Age UK Network is very much in on the action, too: local Age UKs across the country already provide a huge range of exercise classes and activities for their communities that are just waiting to be explored, from table tennis to Bollywood dancing.

Throughout the campaign, we’ll also be sharing the inspirational stories of people who are acting now to age better – like Olicia, who’s been making time to look after her wellbeing following a cancer diagnosis, and John, the man behind a local Age UK’s accessible gym.

“With Act Now, Age Better, and the support of our many sporting partners, our aim is to create inclusive, enjoyable opportunities that genuinely meet people where they are,” says Paul Farmer, Age UK's Chief Executive. “Getting moving shouldn’t feel intimidating. I’m looking forward to seeing many mid-lifers act now.”