Gentle, seated movement — for health and quality of life in aged care
Running in October, this year’s Musculoskeletal Health Awareness Month Ambassador GERALD QUIGLEY sets out the benefits of embedding chair-based movement in aged care.
There are many ways to define and interpret movement. In my view, body movement is about understanding how our bodies move to enhance performance, prevent injuries and support rehabilitation. It encompasses everything from sports and exercise to everyday functional activities, helping us move more efficiently and safely in all aspects of life.
However, the idea of movement in its gentle, natural form has often been hijacked by the exercise industry. Special shoes, colourful lycra, intense workouts, and the pressure to ‘sweat it out’ can make exercise feel overwhelming or unachievable, particularly for older adults. Many may feel self-conscious about their bodies or worry that they are not capable of keeping up, which can discourage them from engaging in even light physical activity.
This societal pressure reinforces the misconception that movement must be strenuous or painful to be beneficial, rather than recognising that gentle, accessible activities — like chair-based exercises — can provide meaningful health benefits and improve quality of life.
After all, there’s a section of the pharmaceutical industry which seems to have taught us that there’s a pill for every illness. Overweight? Then take a pill. Low energy? Another pill. But there’s no pill that can make us move — and movement is something our bodies were designed to do.
The power of human movement
Human movement is the change in position or posture of our actual body, driven by our musculoskeletal structure of muscles, bones, joints and ligaments. This is all controlled by our nervous system and it involves the complex interaction of these systems to produce coordinated, purposeful motions; from simple actions like blinking our eyelids to complex athletic feats. The study of human movement analyses the mechanical, physiological and neurological factors involved in these processes.
As Australia’s population continues to age, maintaining mobility and independence has never been more important. For many older adults, especially those living in residential aged care or receiving home support, traditional exercise programs can be difficult to sustain due to reduced balance, chronic pain or limited mobility. That’s where chair-based exercise offers a safe, accessible and highly effective alternative.
The importance of movement and chair-based exercise
Reduced movement as we age has serious health implications. Chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes and obesity are closely linked to inactivity, highlighting the importance of regular exercise at every stage of life. However, for many older adults, traditional exercise can be challenging due to mobility limitations, balance issues or chronic pain. Chair-based workouts offer a safe, accessible and effective alternative — allowing older adults to stay active, build strength and maintain flexibility from a stable seated position.
Aged care facilities and home care providers have a vital role to play in embedding these programs into daily routines. By encouraging gentle, seated movement, they can help residents preserve mobility, reduce the risk of disease and enhance overall quality of life — promoting healthy aging for all levels of ability.
The challenges
Despite the well-documented benefits of movement, various barriers hinder individuals from engaging in regular physical activity. These can include societal factors, environmental limitations and personal challenges such as a lack of motivation or understanding of effective exercises. Overcoming these barriers through education and community programs is essential for fostering a culture of movement.
Research shows that in approximately one-third of countries and territories worldwide, population aging was the largest contributor to the growing burden of musculoskeletal disorders from 1990 to 2021. A new study in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, published by Elsevier, is poised to inform targeted public health strategies and healthcare resource allocation to alleviate the global burden and economic impact of these disorders.
The key findings include:
- In about one-third of countries and territories, population aging was the largest contributor to the increasing burden of musculoskeletal disorders.
- Middle-income countries bore the highest proportional burden of musculoskeletal disorders from population aging, despite having younger populations than high-income countries. This reflects the rapid demographic shift in these countries combined with limited health system readiness to meet older adults’ needs.
- Globally, men experienced greater impact of population aging, particularly in high- and high-middle-income countries. Women were more affected in low- to middle-income countries.
- Osteoarthritis was the most affected musculoskeletal disorder globally, followed by gout and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Population aging-related musculoskeletal disorders cost US$96 billion in global healthcare costs in 2021, equivalent to 0.10% of the gross global domestic product, surpassing the costs attributed to common modifiable risk factors.
Lead investigators noted that these results can help policymakers prioritise interventions tailored to sociodemographic context, sex differences and specific musculoskeletal disorders, including strengthening preventative measures, improving long-term management and ensuring sustainable financing to address the rising costs attributed to an aging population. Ultimately, this could reduce disability, improve quality of life for older adults and make healthcare systems more resilient. You can read the study at doi.org/10.1016/j.ard.2025.08.002.
The wake-up call
The study is a wake-up call for politicians and other stakeholders to focus research efforts on understanding, preventing and treating musculoskeletal disorders such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in an aging population to ensure aging in health with good quality of life. With this, aged care facilities and home care programs also have a crucial role to play by implementing early intervention programs, promoting physical activity, and supporting residents with tailored rehabilitation and pain management plans.
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Simple steps to support movement in care settings
Aged care facilities and home care providers have an important role in promoting mobility. By embedding short, engaging chair-based programs into daily life, they can help residents and clients stay active, confident and connected.
Here are four simple ways to get started:
1. Incorporate short, daily movement sessions
Even 15–30 minutes of chair-based activity can improve circulation, flexibility and muscle tone. Encourage residents to move little and often; for example, before meals or during group activities, to build consistency without fatigue.
2. Focus on functional movements
Prioritise exercises that mimic everyday activities such as seated leg lifts (for walking strength), arm raises (for reaching) or gentle torso twists (for balance and posture). This helps maintain independence in daily living.
3. Add music and social interaction
Pairing exercise with familiar or upbeat music can make movement sessions more engaging and enjoyable. Group-based chair exercise classes can also boost mood and social connection, increasing participation rates.
4. Tailor to individual ability and track progress
Adapt exercises to residents’ mobility levels and health conditions, using resistance bands or light weights where appropriate. Simple progress tracking (eg, number of repetitions, range of motion improvements) helps motivate participants and demonstrates benefits to staff and families.
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Movement = empowerment
Chair-based exercise isn’t just about physical health; it’s about empowerment. It helps older adults maintain independence, enhances quality of life, and creates moments of joy and connection in care environments.
As aged care providers continue to focus on holistic wellbeing, simple programs like these can be the key to keeping Australia’s older generation moving safely, confidently and with purpose.
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