Senior Citizens In Bhubaneswar Walk For Fitness And Better Health

Bhubaneswar: Vindicating the statement ‘Health is Wealth’, hundreds of senior citizens walked from Master Canteen to Ram Mandir in Bhubaneswar in a walkathon organised by Lyflink and Sports Science India.

The motive behind organising such a walkathon is to make the senior citizens aware about growing health and fitness issues.

“One kilometre of walking is really necessary for maintaining normal heartbeat rate, cardiovascular pumping, fitness etc. In old age many health issues come up like arthritis, back pain and so on. So we are trying to take care of these issues,” said physiotherapist and sports medicine specialist Sudip Banerjee.

Around 300 senior citizens participated in the race early in the morning with zeal and enthusiasm. Defeating the cold, the participants first assembled at Master Canteen Square and then the walkathon was flagged off.

“It is really refreshing. I am feeling very good. Although I walk mainly in the evening but morning walk is much better for health,” said a participant Rabi Narayan Pattnaik.

After reaching the destination, the participants were conferred with medals to show that all participants completing the race are winners. At Ram Mandir, a health camp was organised where doctors checked the weight, Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar, BMI etc of the senior citizens. Cool down exercises and stretching were conducted for them as well.

“The organisers took good care of our health here. We are very happy with the health check-up facilities here,” said Madhu Madhab Jena, president of All Odisha Senior Citizen Federation.

With growing concerns of fitness and health problems in old age, the walkathon is a noble initiative of spreading awareness among the older generation.