Pensioners to feel benefits of outdoor play activities
10/02/2010 Elderly residents in London will soon be able to feel the benefits of exercising outdoors with the opening of the first playground for pensioners.
While the outdoor exercise activities might be different to those found in a traditional children's playground, the benefits for those who use the facilities will be very similar.
The £40,000 project will be set in Hyde Park and will be first of its kind in the UK. Playgrounds for elderly citizens are already popular in some areas of Europe and China.
Madeline Elsdon, spokeswoman for the Knightsbridge Association, said the plans were drawn up because older people often fail to get enough exercise.
She said: "As well as the physical and mental benefits we hope that the playground will encourage users to socialise and have fun together. People need to stay active, maintain independence and are never too old to play."
Facilities which will be available at the playground include a cross trainer, exercise bike and sit-up bench.
Researchers at the University of East Anglia also discovered recently that regular exercise can help people reduce the risk of developing gallstones.
While the outdoor exercise activities might be different to those found in a traditional children's playground, the benefits for those who use the facilities will be very similar.
The £40,000 project will be set in Hyde Park and will be first of its kind in the UK. Playgrounds for elderly citizens are already popular in some areas of Europe and China.
Madeline Elsdon, spokeswoman for the Knightsbridge Association, said the plans were drawn up because older people often fail to get enough exercise.
She said: "As well as the physical and mental benefits we hope that the playground will encourage users to socialise and have fun together. People need to stay active, maintain independence and are never too old to play."
Facilities which will be available at the playground include a cross trainer, exercise bike and sit-up bench.
Researchers at the University of East Anglia also discovered recently that regular exercise can help people reduce the risk of developing gallstones.
