The charity launched the initiative with a tai chi session outside parliament

Older Scots are sharing stories about how they keep fit and healthy as part of a campaign to promote the benefits of physical activity.

Age Scotland’s Let’s Get Moving initiative has heard from hundreds of people across the country, from an 81-year-old lady who can plank for a minute to grandfathers who play walking football every weekend.

Their stories are being used to show how physical activity is as much about social interaction as it is about reducing the risk of disease and high blood pressure.

The campaign was launched on Tuesday with a tai chi taster session outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.

It comes as research found just 55% of older people were getting the recommended minimum of 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a week.

We need to do better in explaining simple ways that exercise can be incorporated into peoples’ lives

Keith Robson, Age Scotland’s head of charity services, said: “Instead of telling people off for not doing exercise, Age Scotland is taking a different approach and telling the stories of what people do to keep active and why.

“Whilst all the people who we spoke to knew the benefits of activity include helping to reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and dementia this was never the first reason they gave for taking part in an activity.

“Being social, keeping up with the grandkids and feeling a part of a community were more often quoted reasons for being active.”

Sandra White MSP, who convenes Holyrood’s cross-party group on older people, age and aging, is giving her backing to the campaign.

She said: “The importance of physical activity in older people cannot be understated. Be it to maintain a healthy body and mind or to combat loneliness, making sure we remain active is key.

“I am acutely aware of the difference staying active can make in later life. Local support groups who work to promote and maintain physical activity with older constituents, as well as across all age groups, are important in these efforts.”

Greens MSP Alison Johnstone called for more work to be done to promote the benefits of exercise for older people in Scotland.

“We need to do better in explaining simple ways that exercise can be incorporated into peoples’ lives with little or no cost,” she said.

“It’s understandable that many Scots, old and young, struggle to exercise when transport policy in this country has continually prioritised private cars over public transport, walking and cycling.”

Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Willie Rennie added: “Campaigns such as this one from Age Scotland are exactly what is needed to help older generations to keep moving.”

Scottish Labour health spokesman Anas Sarwar and Miles Briggs, public health spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives, also gave their backing to the campaign.