Use It or Lose It – A Prescription for Successful Aging? (Part 1)

12-1:30 PM The rising rates of obesity and sedentary living among aging Canadians is a major public health issue. The Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation recently reported that the next generation of seniors may be the first to experience a relative decrease in quality of life compared to previous generations. Although it seems we often hear about the importance of physical activity for children and youth, we don’t hear as much about the vital role physical activity plays in successful aging. An active lifestyle reduces the risk of chronic disease, problems with mobility, and loss of independence - yet, less than half of Canadians meet recommended guidelines for physical activity and adults over the age of 65 are the least active group of all. Join us in learning more about this important topic as the speaker explores the difference between life-expectancy and dependence-free life expectancy, the role of physical activity in successful aging, and the barriers we all face to maintaining an active lifestyle. Speaker: Jennifer Copeland Jennifer Copeland completed her Ph.D. at the University of New Brunswick and she is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Lethbridge where she teaches courses in exercise physiology, fitness assessment, and health. Jennifer’s research laboratory is part of the Southern Alberta Centre for Successful Aging, an interdisciplinary research centre dedicated to the improvement of physical functioning and wellness among aging Canadians. She has conducted research examining the effects of aging and exercise on hormone levels and is using new technology to study how patterns of activity change with age and during life transitions. Jennifer strives to translate research into practice and is a board member of various local and provincial organizations.