Have you heard of your Health Span?

That may sound like a strange phrase at first glance, but let me put it into some context...

Most of us will heard about our life span - that is, the length of time that we will be alive - which, with modern medicine is getting longer and longer.

But what about our health span? What is it and what does it mean?

Our health span is defined as the period of time, during our life span, that we are healthy. This could mean slightly different things to different people, but by and large, we mean a period of time where we are living free from illness and with the ability to retain some independence and quality of life.

As our life spans are getting longer, we can become susceptible to age related diseases and limitations on the health of our bodies - from bones, joints and muscles, through to internal health. This is turn can affect our quality of life, potentially leading towards living through our final years in a state of ill health and limited mobility.

A recent study found, on average, a 9 year gap between the end of a health span and the end of a life span*. This is potentially a long time to be living a decreased quality of life.

The World Health Organisation define health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”

Fortunately there are ways that we can look at increasing our health span to increase the amount of time we are able to live full, healthy and happy lives. Exercise is, of course, one of those ways.

Engaging in group fitness offers an avenue to address not just physical health, but also mental and social health through group interaction, friendships, music and dance. These, combined with the physical fitness benefits that exercise brings, such as:

• decreased risk of heart / cardiovascular disease

• improved bone density for decreased fracture risk

• improved core strength for decreased fall risk

• improved mobility and flexibility for day to day movement and prolonged independence

Can give you a great foundation to increase your health span and enjoy not just a longer life, but a longer quality of life.

*Longevity leap: mind the healthspan gap - PMC (nih.gov)

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