How to live well, age well

Old Father Time keeps marching on.

But the good news is, on average we’re living longer than ever before. Most of us can expect to live to 80 – almost a decade longer than 50 years ago.

And it’s only going in one direction. The number of people in the UK aged 65 or over will increase by 35% from 12.5m in 2020 to 15.9m in 2040, according to the Office for National Statistics. 

It’s a pressing issue that poses questions: how can we keep muscles stronger? How can we keep obesity levels low? How can we avoid falls? Falls alone cost the NHS £2.3 billion a year.

With that in mind, Manchester Metropolitan has taken up the mantle, tackling the challenges of an ageing population in key areas including mobility, social connection, dementia, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal diseases, as well as chronic fatigue. 

Helping people live better

The goal is to help people to live better whatever their age and stay out of the health system by working with clinicians, patients, and the public to ensure that the research is relevant and useful to the world around us. 

Hans Degens, Professor of Muscle Physiology at Manchester Met’s Institute of Sport, says we may find some of the answers by looking at those who are staying healthier for longer – masters athletes.

His research into how older age athletes’ muscles stay stronger is helping to develop interventions for the wider population.

Prof Degens has shown that even if you only take up exercise later in life, you can add 15 quality-of-life years, meaning you’re better able to climb the stairs, go to the shops or meet friends.

He explains: “This will help us extend our quality of life and continue to undertake everyday activities for many years.

“As long as you aren’t so far down the line that you are no longer mobile, there are measures everyone can take to improve health factors, maintain independence and extend quality of life.”

Prof Degens’ research into muscles is just one piece of the ageing jigsaw.

Researching human movement

Just this year Manchester Met’s Institute of Sport announced its new ACTIVE lab which will support new equipment and a biomedical imaging laboratory that will enhance the University’s ongoing research into human movement, particularly how it is affected in people with dementia, diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease.

Professor Nick Brook, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at Manchester Met, said: “We have an increasingly ageing population and with that comes many obstacles, but we are focused on overcoming these so people can continue to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. 

“ACTIVE will be working closely with the NHS, local and national government, and policymakers to ensure that the research that takes place there can have a meaningful and direct impact on people’s lives.” 

Insight driving impact

But some of the insight gleaned from previous studies is already having an impact outside of the University’s walls.

Professor Neil Reeves has been researching the impact of diabetes: interventions to stop it progressing and the disease’s impact on mobility.

His research has been published by Health Innovation Manchester, to help identify populations at risk of Type 2 diabetes and what changes can be put in motion to stop it.

Dr Tracey Vell MBE, Clinical Director at Health Innovation Manchester, praised the effect this work will have in developing new ways to prevent and care for people with Type 2 diabetes in Greater Manchester.