Queensland retirees staying active while staving off loneliness

ABC NEWS (Australia)

From catching waves to cruising the mighty Fitzroy River, regional Queenslanders are finding unique ways to stay active as they age. While exercise is important to staying healthy, it's been found that the social benefits of working out with your mates can be just as important to your wellbeing.

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00:00Strapping in for a mild ride.

00:06The Gold Coast granny grommets meet weekly to tackle the waves and stare down ageing.

00:11We've got a group of about five of us that come every week without fail and get in the

00:18cold water regardless of the temperature.

00:20Hitting the surf in their 60s they know the importance of staying active.

00:25I think you have to make it a priority every day.

00:30So for me I train every day in some way or other.

00:33And this is just a really good fun way of doing it.

00:36Having that connection is very, very important.

00:39It probably outweighs the physical, though that's really important too.

00:43As well as the obvious physical benefits, researchers say exercising in a group setting

00:49can be the key to motivating older people to stay active long term

00:53and it can help stave off loneliness.

00:56The social support and being with others increases our mood and our mental health as well.

01:01So it ticks two boxes if you can get active and get active with others.

01:06Rowing is how these Rockhampton mates in their 60s keep moving.

01:11Very hard to injure yourself and as you get older that's really important.

01:14But the Fitzroy fossils build more than muscle on their adventures.

01:18The beauty of rowing in a boat, it's a team sport.

01:21So you get the opportunity to be with people,

01:24you're doing something that's a collective endeavour.

01:26Strengthening body, mind and mateship.

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