Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2010/January 2011 | Page 73

Island Life - December ISLAND LIFE is 2010 great at 60... longer than men of moderate weight. deterioration is a major cause for loss The results for women are expected to of stamina, since the muscles act as a be the same. storehouse for glycogen, or body fuel. Exercise such as aerobics, even for Myth: An older person's body older people, can not only help can't stand the stress of strenuous control the loss of muscle mass but exercise. also reduce body fat, blood pressure, Reality: Exercise such as weight lifting and cholesterol levels. Exercise also or aerobics can increase muscle mass increases bone density. in older people, even if they have Aerobics and weight lifting, though, previously been sedentary most of their should be done with supervision, since lives. pain from workouts is not good for An average person loses 30 percent of older people. Muscle fibre takes longer muscles and nerves by age 70. Muscle to repair as a person ages. Are the elderly fit to drive? Drivers aged 70 and older are three times as likely to be killed or seriously injured in a road crash as those aged between 40 and 65, and insurers are calling for tougher restrictions. Would older people benefit from cognitive and eye tests - or are they being unfairly singled out? Read the article and email us your views on elderly drivers, as well as driving standards generally to [email protected] JAN TOMS - ISLAND RESIDENT everyone safe. I learned to drive over forty years ago, standard eyesight check. “All that is often required is a quick have never had an accident and am TREVOR PRIOR - LOCAL reminder that these habits could comfortably familiar with the twists DRIVING INSTRUCTOR potentially become dangerous if not and bends of Island roads. However, When reaching 70 years of age, drivers corrected. Elderly drivers do have the when I had my first car there wasn’t would perhaps be best advised to seek advantage of experience over the a single roundabout on the Island. assurances that they can still cope with younger driver but reaction times can Later, a rash of mini roundabouts modern day conditions. often &R&