24-Hour Reporting: Physical Activity Among Beijing's Elderly
China's population is getting older and living longer, but are their bodies keeping up?
Zhu Chuanjun finishes his second set of bench presses on the Smith Machine. Despite being the oldest person in the gym that morning, this is already the 60-year old retiree’s second workout of the day.
Zhu Chuanjun is a retired bus driver, fitness enthusiast and bodybuilder. He shares his thoughts on the importance of staying in shape.
Mr. Zhu works out four times a week, alternating between weights in the gym and park. This makes him a minority among the China’s elderly population, 85% of whom do not engage in regular physical exercise.
Zhu Chuanjun holds a set of dumbells at Lava Fitness in Beijing
Zhu Chuanjun holds a set of dumbells at Lava Fitness in Beijing
In 2015, the average Chinese life expectancy was 75.3 years, nearly 70% higher than in 1950. China is now considered an “ageing population,” a country with 10% or more of the population over 60 years old. In addition to concerns about negative economic effects, the mental and physical health of the country’s elderly have not advanced in step with the longer lives.
One factor that could increase the physical health of the elderly is more physical activity. According to a 2015 report by the World Health Organization, in 2010, nearly 20% of Chinese over 60 years old had trouble performing activities associated with daily life, and that number was projected to rise. The same study cited that nearly a third of health problems among the country’s elderly are related to non-infectious diseases like hypertension, stroke and heart disease, and physical inactivity is a contributor to those problems.
Adults exercising in the park. Image courtesy of Zhu Chuanjun.
Adults exercising in the park. Image courtesy of Zhu Chuanjun.
What can be done to encourage more daily exercise, though? Although the country is being swept by a gym craze, it is not catching on with everyone. Ma Jie, a personal trainer at VBROS Fitness Lab in Beijing, says that many older people find the cost of gym memberships or personal trainers too expensive. Mr. Zhu, who has free access to his gym, admits he would likely not train there if he had to pay. In addition, some gyms are wary of accepting older clients because of the high cost of accident insurance.
A free—and popular—alternative is making use of the numerous public spaces in Beijing and other cities in China, where many retired adults like to gather. According to a 2016 study published in the Journal of Sport and Health Science, elderly people with felt they lived in walkable neighborhoods with significant social engagement participated more in physical activity.
This type of fitness area is a common site around Beijing and other Chinese cities, and is a popular place for socializing and excercising for elderly residents. On a cold December afternoon, though, it is empty.
This type of fitness area is a common site around Beijing and other Chinese cities, and is a popular place for socializing and excercising for elderly residents. On a cold December afternoon, though, it is empty.
For Mr. Zhu, who spends four days a week at the park, this comes as no surprise at all.
Zhu Chuanjun holding a handstand on the high bar. Image courtesy of Zhu Chuanjun.
Zhu Chuanjun holding a handstand on the high bar. Image courtesy of Zhu Chuanjun.
