Age is not an obstacle to exercise: walking, swimming, stretching, dancing, gardening, hiking and cycling are all excellent activities for everyone. Physical activity is also likely to reduce many of the psychological and social hazards that often arise with age. Mental illness, particularly depression, Alzheimer’s disease and feelings of loneliness and social exclusion, is lower among people who are physically active.

The creation of social and structural conditions to facilitate and encourage physical activity among older people is fundamental, as demonstrated by the following examples: