Surveys show that one in four Irishmen from retirement age and beyond are not exercising regularly. Older women are even more inactive with one in three admitting they did not take exercise in the previous seven days.

The conference on older people and exercise organised by Professor Des O'Neill of the Irish Gerontological Society was told that sedentary behaviour is just accelerating a person's loss of mobility.

They are also losing out on the benefits of exercise in reducing the chances of developing various diseases as well as its impact on people's mood.

Prof O'Neill, a geriatrician at Tallaght Hospital, said it is never too late. "The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago, the second best time is now", he said.

Catherine Woods, who lectures in exercise and sports psychology at Dublin City University, where a programme of exercise for older people is in place, said people needed to aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day -- but this can be broken up into ten minutes three times day also.

She said older people taking part in the programme in Dublin City University were motivated to exercise because it meant they had more energy and slept better.

People who exercise should reward themselves and have a plan setting out what they want to achieve, she said.

People should avoid going it alone if they can and try to enlist a friend or relative, she added