29 May 2001

Regular exercise is beneficial to health even in extreme old age - a University of Dundee expert will tell the Royal Society of Edinburgh at a public lecture on June 4 to discuss the myths, fears and misunderstandings about health in old age.

Professor Marion McMurdo, who holds the Chair of Ageing and Health within the Department of Medicine has a research interest in exercise in old age. Her research aims to maintain health and minimise disability in later life.

Her lecture entitled 'Health in Old Age - Dream or Reality?' will argue that the ageing of our population is a success story, in contrast to the usual doom-laden predictions of health and social budgets being drained by caring for older people.

Professor McMurdo argues that lifestyle is a major influence on health in later life, and explains that lost strength and fitness can be regained with regular physical activity, even in extreme old age.

"Demonstrating that exercise is beneficial is less difficult than persuading people to be more physically active", explains Professor McMurdo. "Part of the problem is the common misconception that to reap health benefits continuously, vigorous exercise is required. Improvements in strength reported in studies of exercise training in older people may be equivalent to 10 to 20 years of 'rejuvenation'."

Professor McMurdo's lecture is open to the public and begins at 5pm on Monday 4 June at the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Contact: Professor Marion McMurdo (01382) 660111 ext 32436