Grey Power November 2015

16
NATIONAL GREYPOWER MAGAZINE » NOVEMBER 2015
Biokinetics Clinic focuses on quality of life
Deann Forsyth, 74, noticed
the difference Wintec’s
Biokinetics clinic had made
when she was playing a
round of mini-golf with her
grandson.
FROM GEOFF LEWIS
“I found that when I went to place
the ball I could bend my knees
rather than bend from the waist.
The programme has made me stronger,
more supple and more confident.”
With about 35 others Deann became
involved with the programme because she
wanted to get fitter, lose weight and become
more active.
Twenty one percent of New Zealand’s
population is expected to be more
than 65 years of age by 2031 and keeping
older people, and those with chronic health
conditions, in better health is seen as a positive
way of reducing the costs of caring for
the elderly - and improving their lives.
Last year Waikato Institute of
Technology(Wintec) Masters student Jodie
Collins undertook a programme of research
to strengthen through exercise and
improve the functionality of people aged 65
and more.
This led to the establishment of Wintec’s
Biokinetic Clinic. Using dietary protein supplements
and an exercise regime she sought
to build muscle and strength in a group of
volunteers.
Wintec Sports and Exercise Science principal
academic staff member Stephen Burden
said as people age there was a natural
tendency for muscles to atrophy.
“This is largely as a consequence
of disuse. But this
programme has shown that
with exercise muscles can
build and strengthen.
“The programme lasted
16 weeks and the results
showed that it is the exercise,
rather than protein
supplements, that encourage
the growth of muscle
and strength.”
Stephen, also a member
of the board of Clinical
Exercise Physiology
New Zealand (CEPNZ),
said New Zealand is behind
some other nations
when it comes to the use
of biokinetics to improve
the health and wellbeing of
older people.
“We realised that if we
had a group of subjects to
work with every week it
would also provide an op-
Continued on page 22
SuperSeniors website
From page 14
Since March, we’ve signed up 734 new
businesses, taking the number offering
discounts up to more than 8000 across
12,700 different outlets.
The card has come a long way from its
humble beginnings in 2008, offering a
handful of discounts in shops, and it’s now
able to be used in Australia too.
You can find out more about new SuperGold
offers on the website and through
the SuperSeniors newsletter.
The website will promote age friendly
communities, something I know Grey
Power is also very involved with. I would
like to see New Zealand cities and towns,
work towards becoming better and easier
places for older people to live.
I am developing more new resources to
help communities target age-friendly status,
and I hope to have the opportunity to
discuss this with Grey Power in future.
Being Minister for Seniors and advocating
for older New Zealanders is a big
responsibility and a great privilege.
I am committed to continuing to work
hard over the coming years to ensure seniors
who have given so much to this
country get the happy, positive and rewarding
lives they deserve.
www.superseniors.msd.govt.nz
www.facebook.com/OfficeforSeniorCitizens
Twitter: @SuperSeniorsNZ.
Wintec principal academic staff member Stephen Burden with volunteer Andrew
Malloch – Geoff Lewis photo
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