Angela Rippon’s Age-Defying Splits on Strictly Come Dancing Impress Viewers
Angela Rippon, at the age of 78, shocked viewers with her incredible flexibility as she effortlessly performed a standing split on Saturday’s episode of Strictly Come Dancing. This feat is considered difficult for even younger individuals, as the body tends to lose flexibility, muscle strength, and balance with age.
Rippon, the oldest contestant on the show, expressed her desire to push the boundaries of age-related limitations. Despite acknowledging her limitations, she urged her professional partner, Kai Widdrington, to challenge her. Rippon, who has maintained her fitness through activities such as tennis, pilates, and ballet, wishes she had been given the opportunity to participate in the show a decade earlier, when she was “fitter and stronger” than the younger contestants.
Her goal is to advocate for dance as a beneficial activity for individuals of all ages. Rippon discovered the advantages of dance while working on the programme How to Stay Young in 2016. The research conducted for the show revealed that dance emerged as the most effective exercise for participants in terms of both physical and mental well-being. By participating in Strictly Come Dancing, Rippon hopes to demonstrate the positive impact of dance.
Dawn Skelton, Professor of Ageing and Health at Glasgow Caledonian University, praised Rippon’s ability to perform the standing split, explaining that flexibility begins to decline significantly after the age of 40. This decline is especially noticeable in women due to the reduction of oestrogen levels during menopause, which leads to a loss of natural flexibility. While genetics play a role in determining flexibility, speed, and power, everyone can increase their flexibility through regular practice, regardless of age.
Although Skelton believes that individuals who were unable to do the splits during their school years may struggle to achieve the feat later in life, she emphasizes that maintaining flexibility is crucial. Flexibility allows for a wider range of motion in joints and has numerous benefits for overall physical health. Unfortunately, it is often overlooked in fitness training programmes, except for those that incorporate yoga or pilates.
Skelton suggests that to learn the splits, it is important to focus on stretching the hamstrings and developing core strength and hip mobility. While Rippon benefits from a lifetime of being active, Skelton encourages individuals in their 40s to invest in maintaining their flexibility through regular practice. Over time, even difficult moves can become achievable with dedication.
Experts in dance also weighed in on Rippon’s impressive performance. Sarah Riach, Associate Head of School for Performance at the University of Sunderland, considers the splits a challenging dance move for people of any age. Sadie Hunt, a Senior Dance Lecturer at the University of Bedfordshire, advises using breathing and imagery techniques during stretches to avoid injury and recommended moves that specifically target the hamstrings and hip joints.
Rippon’s dance reflects the essence of Strictly Come Dancing – a celebration of the hard work, joy, and inclusivity of dance.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
