Active Ageing week highlights the benefits of staying active and healthy

Active Ageing Week (October 4-10) promotes physical activity for a life of better health and well-being.

This year's theme is Move Your Way, so to get you moving, ECH and Active Ageing Australia bring you a range of free wellness activities to participate in.

Active Ageing Australia chair Laura Perdue said evidence shows that the loss of function and muscle mass associated with ageing can be slowed with regular physical activity - including strength, balance and flexibility training.

However, according to COTA's State of the Older Nation 2021 Report, 54 per cent of Australians aged 60 and over do not do the recommended minimum two hours of moderate or vigorous physical activity per week. This cohort has significantly grown since 2018.

"By increasing moderate physical activity by just 15 minutes, five times a week, older people aged 65 and over who are 'at risk' of disease can improve their overall health and wellbeing while reducing future disease by 19 per cent," Ms Perdue said.

Although people are often challenged by major life events including illness, surgery, loss of social connections and now the COVID-19 pandemic, Active Ageing Australia is hopeful that this campaign will inspire them to find new ways to get outdoors and be active.

"While major life events may be seen by some people as obstacles, they also provide new opportunities to find different ways to be active," Ms Perdue said.

ECH, SANFL and The Hospital Research Foundation Group are supporting partners of Active Ageing Week.

ECH is celebrating Active Ageing Week by hosting a range of free come and try events including relaunching SANFL and ECH's Walking Footy sessions, ECH Walking Groups, Tai Chi sessions, bocce, table tennis and Nutrition For Life sessions.

ECH chief executive Dr David Panter said Active Ageing Week demonstrated that remaining active was essential to your overall health and well-being.

"Staying physically and mentally active is vital. There are many ways for older people to include movement in their daily life and regular participation in sport or other physical activities has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health.

Connecting with others, learning new skills, making an ongoing contribution to society, and doing the things that give a sense of purpose are all important to ageing well," Dr Panter said.

Events will be held in accordance with SA Health COVID-19 guidelines. This includes the wearing of masks by all staff and clients, scanning the onsite COVID QR check-in code and following safe social distancing measures.

Fancy a footy match? The thought of tackles, scrums and running around the paddock might be a turn off, but during Active Ageing Week you can discover the perfect match for you - walking footy.

Everyone is invited to try walking footy, a safe game with no running, tackling or bumping, Walking footy is a great way to incorporate exercise in your life in a social and fun way and will be held at several venues.

If footy is not your game, then try walking groups which are a great way to exercise, meet like-minded people and maintain good heart health. Each event is followed by morning tea at a nearby cafe at your own cost.

If you want more, you can join tai chi groups, nutrition for life info sessions or edible flower workshops.

Check out the range of wellness activities at Cumberland Park Community Centre such as bocce, line dancing, table tennis, game of pool and crafts. Lunch is provided.