Active for Life: More Than Just Exercise!

DCU Sport is incredibly proud of our Active for Life (AFL) program, a vibrant initiative designed to support adults aged 55 and over in realizing their full physical, mental, and social potential. 

In a country where life expectancy continues to rise, providing ongoing opportunities for older adults to stay active and engaged is more important than ever, aligning perfectly with the World Health Organisation's active ageing policy framework. We're especially thrilled to share insights from one of our own, Ann McDonnell, an Active for Life member who recently achieved a fantastic milestone: completing her degree in psychology part-time here in DCU! Congratulations, Ann, on this incredible accomplishment!

Ann's research, focused on the motives and benefits associated with engagement in DCU's Active for Life program, truly underscores the value of what we offer. Her qualitative study, involving ten AFL participants, revealed fascinating insights into why our members join and, crucially, why they stay. While initial motivations for joining AFL often revolved around fitness and health considerations, Ann's findings highlighted that sustained involvement was driven by
a broader range of benefits – physical, mental, and social. This demonstrates that our Active for Life classes deliver not just the well-known physical benefits of exercise, but can also deliver significant enhancements that contribute to overall well-being.

According to earlier research¹, physical activity is a key determinant of active ageing, and programs like AFL can play a vital role in supporting older adults in achieving their full potential for physical, social, and mental well-being. Beyond mitigating age-related declines in physical capacity, our classes can help alleviate social isolation and loneliness. We believe this is significantly enhanced by our excellent instructors and uplifting music, creating an optimal and engaging environment for all participants! 

A huge thank you to all the AFL members who participated in Ann's study – your contributions have provided valuable insights that can help inform future strategies to broaden the involvement of older adults in such beneficial programs. And once again, a huge well done to Ann on this incredible achievement and for shedding light on the profound impact of our Active for Life community!

If you're interested in joining the Active for Life program and experiencing these benefits for yourself, visit our 'Membership' page or pop into reception for more
information!

1. Crimmins, E. M. (2015). Lifespan and Healthspan: Past, Present, and Promise. The Gerontologist, 55(6), 901–911. https://doi.org/10.1093/geront/gnv130