Upstream Strength Training Interventions to Improve the Ageing Trajectory of Women in Midlife

晚年跌倒是健康衰老的主要威胁。它们可能会导致疼痛、伤害和丧失独立性。跌倒对卫生服务有重大影响，无论是直接的医院护理还是长期的善后护理。60岁以上年龄组的增长速度比其他任何年龄段都要快，因此与跌倒有关的问题将会增加。女性比男性更害怕摔倒，摔倒导致的髋部骨折也更多。目前的方法主要针对已经跌倒或有跌倒风险的老年人。在生命的早期需要更积极的方法。肌肉力量是健康衰老的基本‘基石’。随着年龄的增长，体力会下降，但可以通过锻炼保持体力。在所有45岁及以上的女性中，约有一半不进行常规的力量训练。这个项目的目的是找到让中年女性更容易进行常规肌肉力量训练的方法。这将使她们能够以更好的健康和更大的体能储备到达晚年的‘起跑线’。我们将与中年女性密切合作，了解她们对力量训练的想法和意见。我们想知道是什么让他们更难进行力量训练，以及什么可能会让它变得更容易。我们将共同创建一系列潜在的想法和解决方案，这些想法和解决方案将与其他女性以及包括医疗保健专业人员、学者、设计师、健身专业人员和影响政策的人在内的关键合作伙伴一起进行测试。

Falls in later life are a major threat to healthy ageing. They can lead to pain, injury, and loss of independence. Falls have a significant impact on health services, both immediate hospital care and long-term aftercare. The 60+ age group is growing faster than any other age group, therefore problems related to falls will increase. Women express fear of falling more than men and they sustain more hip fractures from falls. Current approaches focus on older people who have had a fall or are at risk of falling. More proactive approaches are needed earlier in life.Muscle strength is an essential 'building block' for healthy ageing. Strength declines as we age but it can be maintained through exercise. Approximately half of all women aged 45 years and over, do no regular strength exercises. The aim of this project is to find ways to make it easier for women in midlife to do regular muscle strength training. This would enable them to arrive at the 'start line' of later life in better health and with greater physical reserves.We will work closely with women in midlife to understand their thoughts and opinions about strength training. We want to understand what makes it harder for them to engage in strength training and what might make it easier. We will co-create a range of potential ideas and solutions, these will be tested out with other women and with key partners including healthcare professionals, academics, designers, fitness professionals and people who influence policy.