Whether it is a marathon at 78 or a vertical marathon at 83, age has not deterred some seniors from participating in intense sport
 On 21 November this year, Mr Tan Soo Cheng, 83, scaled the 73 stories of the Swissotel The Stamford, the tallest hotel in Southeast Asia. He has been participating in this vertical marathon for the past nine years.
“I have been running regularly since I was young, so not much effort is required for this,” he said.
The retired accountant has been running two hours every day since his 30s.
“People ask me how I can jog every day and not have knee problems at my age but I tell them the secret is in the shoes and the way I run,” he said.
He buys shoes meant specifically for running and makes sure there is a gentle rhythm to his running steps instead of stomping around, he explained.
He has no major health conditions but was diagnosed with mild hypertension three years ago. It is now under control with medication.
Still, he exercises caution while running. “If I don’t feel good, I stop. I won’t force myself to keep going,” he said.
Mr Tan is one of the growing number of elderly daredevils here in Singapore, seniors who participate in vigorous sports like marathons and rock climbing.
10 per cent rise in seniors participating in vigorous sports
Dr Roger Tian, a sports physician and associate consultant at the Singapore Sports Medicine Centre and Changi Sports Medicine Centre, estimates that there has been a 10 per cent increase in the number of seniors aged 65 years and above participating in such vigorous sports in the past five years.
This trend may be due to an increased awareness of the benefits of regular exercise. Seniors now also have more opportunities to participate in intensive sport as more such events are being organised here.
Regular exercise, including intensive sport, can reduce one’s risk of high blood pressure and heart problems. The muscles and bones are kept healthy, reducing the risk of fractures and falls, he said.
However, Dr Tian advised, seniors should be medically cleared before they begin any vigorous sport. They face a higher risk of injury because the intensity of such sport places more demands on the body. He added that those who led an active life when they were younger are better equipped to handle the intensity as they age.
Avoid vigorous sports if you have heart problems
Dr Lim Si Ching, a consultant at the Department of Geriatric Medicine at Singapore General Hospital said that seniors who have uncontrolled hypertension and chest pains should refrain from vigorous sport. People who have had heart attacks should ideally not engage in such vigorous activities, especially if they are not accustomed to the intensity.
It is wise to be careful, as heart attacks are the major cause of sudden deaths in the elderly who participate in vigorous exercise, cautioned Dr Tian.
Dr Lim said seniors should be on the alert for symptoms like chest pains that radiate to the arms and jaws, accompanied by nausea, dizziness or difficulty in breathing while exercising as these may signal a heart attack.
Apart from heart problems, seniors may face the risk of injuring their joints which weaken with age.
While running, the impact felt on your joints is about two to five times your body weight. Extra weight on a sedentary senior would deepen this impact, said Dr Tian. |