Senior citizens urged to take up muscle-strength training to reduce fall risks and improve quality of life, says surgeon Dr Adibah Ali.
KUCHING: Senior citizens need to be made more aware of muscle-strength training, which is essential in reducing the risk of falls and fractures and supporting a better quality of life in later years.
FitLab gymnasium owner Dr Adibah Ali said awareness of the matter remains low despite Malaysia’s growing elderly population.
The consultant breast and endocrine surgeon, said her 22 years of experience at the hospital had seen many elderly patients requiring admission after suffering injuries from falls.
“I once worked in a ward where many elderly patients were admitted after falling and suffering fractures. That’s why I want to raise awareness of how important muscle-strengthening exercises are.
“It’s not about looking like a bodybuilder, but about strengthening bones, protecting joints and reducing the risk of injury through better mobility,” she said when met by reporters after a royal visit by the Raja Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Syed Faizuddin Putra Jamalullail, to FitLab here today.
His Royal Highness was accompanied by the Raja Puan Muda of Perlis, Tuanku Dr Lailatul Shahreen Akashah Khalil, and their son, Syed Sirajuddin Areeb Putra Al-Haj Jamalullail.
Present was Sarawak Deputy Minister of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu
According to Dr Adibah, muscle-strength training also helps seniors carry out daily activities such as climbing stairs and carrying items more easily and safely.
Therefore, she said her gymnasium plans to introduce special classes for the elderly in the future and collaborate with Pusat Aktiviti Warga Emas (PAWE) to encourage more senior citizens to take part in fitness programmes.
Meanwhile, Rentap said efforts to encourage senior citizens to lead an active lifestyle need to be strengthened as those aged 50 and above form a growing segment of the population in Sarawak.
“This effort also involves PAWE E so that we can carry out more activities that promote not only physical activity but also mental stimulation, such as chess, which requires mental agility,” he said.
Earlier, the Raja Muda of Perlis spent almost two hours at the gymnasium before heading to the 2026 World Rainforest Music Festival (RWMF) at the Sarawak Cultural Village.
