As she approaches 60, former Olympic champion Sally Gunnell OBE has stressed the importance of adopting healthy habits to help reduce the risk of age-related illnesses
Sally Gunnell OBE has illuminated one habit that’s crucial to preventing age-related illnesses like Alzheimer’s. While the 58-year-old has now retired from her career as an international athlete, she stressed the importance of daily exercise for long-term health.
“A lot of people have really sedentary jobs,” she said in an exclusive conversation with the Mirror. “They’re sitting at the computer all day, you know, or sitting watching television.
“We need to get outside, we need to get our heart rate up. So if that’s a brisk walk, or if you are quite an active person, whether that’s a bike ride, or finding something you enjoy, or a run, or whatever.
“But just getting your heart rate up, that blood pumping around your body, that gets to your brain to prevent Alzheimer’s. It can protect your heart as well.
“So, I think that’s really important and just sort of how [exercise] can add up over the day [is really important]. I think the biggest excuse for people is, ‘I can’t find an hour to go and exercise’, but it can be made up through the day.
“So, it might just be at lunchtime. Just get up, go for a walk outside, or do a few squats, you know, or press ups, or something or other.”
Dementia is an umbrella term used to characterise several conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, associated with progressive cognitive decline. NHS figures suggest that over 944,000 people in the UK are living with dementia, including one in every 11 individuals aged over 65.
While there is currently no ‘cure’ for Alzheimer’s disease, recent research suggests that up to 45% of dementia cases can be prevented by making lifestyle changes. A study by Oxford University last year identified 15 key risk factors that can be altered throughout life, including physical activity, diabetes, and pollution.
Earlier this month, another project from Bristol University also found that mice which engaged in regular aerobic exercise displayed a significant reduction in specific Alzheimer’s markers. Dr Augusto Coppi, Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Anatomy, who co-authored the research, previously said: “Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with no known cure, impacting millions worldwide.
“While physical exercise is known to reduce cognitive decline, the cellular mechanisms behind its neuroprotective effects have remained elusive—until now. This research highlights the potential for aerobic exercise to serve as a cornerstone in preventive strategies for Alzheimer’s.”
Sally’s commitment to staying active and eating healthily has likely given her a ‘metabolic age’ of 42—an impressive 15 years younger than her actual age of 57. This was revealed in a health examination with Bluecrest Wellness that involved blood tests, an ECG, and several other assessments.
She continued: “I think one of the biggest things is I look at my parents, and they’re in their nineties, which is incredible, but their mobility is really limited and, you know, that’s really understandable. But sometimes I just think, ‘Gosh! It’s so important to keep our muscles strong’, and to keep walking just doing simple sorts of exercises as well.
“It can make such a difference. You don’t have to lift heavy weights all the time.
“Even just body weight exercise could make such a big difference. But I think it’s about doing something, and I think not being scared of it and getting help and support because I think so often people don’t know where to start or what to do.
“It’s just getting help and support from somebody that you know can support you on that journey.”
