Exercise can improve one’s physical health and help relax mentally. While people avoid going out during the COVID-19 outbreak, elders are forced to change their habits, such as doing exercise at the park, and some of them get weak as a result of a lack of exercise. To encourage the elderly to make exercise at home a habit, HKYWCA Chi Po Neighbourhood Elderly Centre cooperates with Excellence Fitness to organise two stretching workshops, and share proper techniques and sports knowledge.

On the day of the event, four fitness coaches and a volunteer visited the centre and talked about exercise and nutrition with 30 participants divided into two groups. As weakened tendon, inflexible joints and poor blood circulation can cause calf cramp and other problems common in elderly, the coaches taught the participants proper ways to stretch, so as to let their muscles relax.

Stretching exercise is perfect for epidemic as it can be done at any venue, without special equipment. Participants said that they have not been joining any activities since the outbreak, and are satisfied with the stretching workshop as the exercise is simple and useful.

Sponsored by Foodlink Foundation, gift bags with food and rice dumpling were given to the participants to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival. 20 extra dumplings were prepared to be distributed to non-participants too.