11 Jan 2017
HEIDI DOUGLASS | h.douglass@unsw.edu.au
MELISSA CHUNGUE
On 2 February 2017, dedicated athletes from 5 prestigious gyms across Sydney will go head to head in a gym tournament in an effort to fundraise for The Dementia Momentum® initiative at the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA).
ALL I SEA will be hosting the fitness challenge which will see team members from 98 Riley St Gym, Complete Strength and Performance, Definition Fitness, Flow Athletic and Women of Treign go head to head in what is expected to be a fiercely competitive relay.
Co-founded by 4 time-Olympic Gold Medallist Leisel Jones, ALL I SEA is Australia’s first dedicated active swimwear brand. ALL I SEA aims to inspire everyday athletes to live an active life in an authentic and high performance manner.
Each team and gym will also help to generate funds through their networks, with the goal of raising $5000 for The Dementia Momentum. This initiative of the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), UNSW, aims to increase awareness about the modifiable risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. All funds raised go directly to CHeBA’s large-scale, ‘big data’ research.
CHeBA Champion and Co-Founder of ALL I SEA, Keri Kitay has seen firsthand the devastating impact this disease can have. Her mother was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease aged just 55.
“Watching such a vibrant and independent person now not being able to do day-to-day things is devastating to see, especially when it’s your mum,” says Ms Kitay.
Co-director of CHeBA, Professor Henry Brodaty, says dementia can no longer be seen only as an ’old person’s’ disease.
“That people as young as Keri’s mum are being diagnosed is a wake-up call for all of us in the community and something health policy makers need to recognise,” Professor Brodaty says.
Research continues to reinforce the importance of physical health and the positive effects of exercise for healthy brain ageing. Professor Perminder Sachdev, Co-director of CHeBA says that exercise has many benefits for the body and its effect on the brain is an important one. It has been found to increase blood flow, promote new cell formation in the brain and improve cognitive function.
“In a number of trials, it has been shown to slow the decline seen in the early stages of dementia,” says Professor Sachdev.
With around a third of the risk of dementia related to lifestyle factors, CHeBA’s message is that exercise may be the most important protective factor for ageing brains. Ideally it should start early and be maintained into late life – although it's never too late to start.
ALL I SEA’s aim is to inspire everyday athletes to live an active lifestyle and promote this significant message to the community. In addition to the funds raised on the 2 February, 10% of all sales of ALL I SEA purchased from the 16 January – 17 February will be donated to The Dementia Momentum.
To donate to the ALL I SEA Gym vs Gym Tournament please go to: http://bit.ly/ALLISEAtournament
