Global experts at conference on active ageing

Some of the world’s leading active ageing experts will share tips to improve health and wellbeing at the World Congress on Active Ageing 2016. It is the most significant gathering of its kind to focus on active living, physical activity and health.

Organised by Victoria University’s Institute of Sport, Exercise and Active Living (ISEAL), the four-day event, which kicks off today, will inform policy about rethinking ageing.

This event has attracted more than 400 international delegates who will focus on what can be done to enhance physical, mental and social wellbeing in later life.

Professor Stuart Biddle, an active living and public health expert at ISEAL will chair the event. Professor Biddle’s research found strong muscles are a key to weight control, as well as a defence against type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and osteoarthritis.

It can also help prevent falls and frailty and maintain independent living.

"When compared to aerobic physical activity such as walking and cycling, weight training has greater benefits for bone/joint health, the ability to perform activities of daily living and slowing the loss of skeletal muscle mass/strength," Professor Biddle said.

"These outcomes are very important for all age groups, especially for older adults as we seek ways to maintain their independence."

Speakers & presenters

Peppered with international presenters, keynote speeches, plenary sessions, paper presentations, panel discussions, workshops and social events, the event will feature the following keynote speakers:

• Professor Abby King, Professor of Health Research and Policy and of Medicine at Stanford University
• Dr John Beard, Director of Ageing and Life Course Programme, World Health Organization 
• Professor Adrian Bauman, Professor of Public Health and Director of the Prevention Research Collaboration, University of Sydney 
• Gil Penalosa, Founder and Chair of the Board of 8 80 Cities
• Dr Linda Lam, Professor and Chair at the Department of Psychiatry of the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Local presenters include:

• Professor Wendy Brown, Director of the Centre for Research in Exercise, Physical Activity and Health at the University of Queensland
• Professor Ester Cerin,  Professor of Physical Activity and Health, Australian Catholic University
• Professor Nicola Lautenschlager,  Professor of Psychiatry of Old Age, University of Melbourne
• Professor Maria A. Fiatarone Singh,  Professor of Exercise and Sports Science, University of Sydney.

What:  The World Congress on Active Ageing
When: Tuesday 28 June – Friday 1 July, 2016
Where: Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Wharf, Victoria

About sport at Victoria University

Victoria University is Australia’s leading sport university. Its reputation in sport, exercise science and active living is tied to a long tradition of extensive course offerings, major research, international partnerships, state-of-the-art facilities and expert academic staff from around the world.

As a leading sport university in Australia, Victoria University has the:

• largest number of students enrolled in sport courses
• greatest number of sport-related industry partners
• highest graduate employment outcomes in Australia
• most graduates working in the sport industry.

The $68 million Sport and Learning Precinct facilities at the Footscray Park Campus are used by students and researchers, professional sports teams and community organisations. Features include a high altitude ‘hotel’, exercise physiology labs, biomechanics labs and heat chambers, as well as integrated teaching and learning facilities.