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Long-term participation in community group exercise improves lower extremity muscle strength and delays age-related declines in walking speed and physical function in older adults
Chisato Hayashi ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-8819-91621,
Soshiro Ogata2,
Tadashi Okano3,
Hiromitsu Toyoda3 &
Sonoe Mashino1
The effects of group exercise on the physical function of community-dwelling older adults remain unclear. The changes in lower extremity muscle strength, timed up and go (TUG) time, and the motor fitness scale (MFS), over time, among older adults who expressed a willingness to participate in community-based physical exercise groups, were determined using multilevel modelling.
We analyzed data of 2407 older adults between April 2010 and December 2019 from the registry of physical tests of community-based physical exercise groups. We conducted a retrospective cohort study to assess the effect of physical exercise on lower extremity muscle strength, TUG time, and MFS scores. The durations of the exercises were evaluated by frequency of physical test's participate.
A deterioration in lower extremity muscle strength was found in the short-term participant group only. However, in the mid-term and long-term participation groups, lower extremity muscle strength showed a trend of improvement. The TUG time and the MFS score were negatively correlated with increasing age in both groups divided by the duration of participation. However, there was a slower rate of deterioration in the long-term participation group.
Lower extremity muscle strength, TUG time, and MFS scores decline with increasing age and there were differences in the slope of deterioration that depended on the duration of participation in community-based group exercise.
Participation in group exercise improved lower extremity muscle strength, TUG time, and MFS scores of older adults living in a community. The positive effects of group exercise were dependent on long-term participation.
In 2019, the Japanese population aged over 65-years was estimated to be 35.88 million, and the aging rate was 28.4% [1]. In 2006, local governments, nationwide, started implementing long-term care prevention programs [2, 3], and in recent years, frailty prevention, which addresses the mental and physical deterioration associated with aging, has been attracting attention.
Maintenance of physical activity of older adults (age, > 65 years) leads to physical, mental, and social well-being, and ultimately, an extension of a healthy life expectancy. Participation in group activities such as club sports for adults are popular and have reported not only physical but also psychological and social benefits [4]. A recent study found that exercise with others has important health benefits regardless of the total frequency of exercise [5].
A study that examined 120 subjects (initial age, 46 to 78 years) suggested that the change in leg muscle strength was directly related to the change in muscle mass, and the longitudinal decline rates in knee extensor muscle strength were, on average, 14% per decade [6]. In addition, the annual decline in muscle strength ranged from 1.4 to 2.5% in healthy men (initial mean age, 65.4 ± 4.2 years) [7]. Lower extremity muscle strength declines faster than upper body muscle strength [8]; low muscle strength rather than muscle mass is associated with poor physical functioning in older adults [9]; and osteoporosis in older adults [10]. However, recent data from longitudinal studies on aging indicate that maintaining or gaining muscle mass does not prevent aging-related declines in muscle strength, and muscle weakness is independently associated with physical disability and mortality [11].
Although many studies have been conducted on physical performance in older adults, little is known about the effects of community-based group exercise on the change in physical performance. As older adults show an age-related decline in physical performance, the effect of activity is difficult to determine. In our study, we focused on "lively 100-years-old physical exercise", which is a community group exercise for residents. This program was developed by doctors and physiotherapists from the Kochi Prefecture in 2003. The exercise may be performed while sitting on a chair or holding onto a chair for support to ensure safety of the participants. This type of group exercise, using light weights, is popular in the Japanese community.
This study aimed to determine the association between participation in community-based group exercise and physical performance in older adults, using multilevel modeling (MLM) which can model longitudinal changes in physical performance [12].
Study design and participants
We conducted a retrospective cohort study on older adults who expressed a willingness to participate in independent community-based physical exercise groups. In this study, we analysed data from the registry of physical tests between April 2010 and December 2019 of community-based physical exercise groups in Sumoto City, located in the central part of Awaji Island, Hyogo, Japan. In 2019, there were 85 small sub-groups and a total of 2407 participating in the "lively 100-years-old physical exercise" program. This study received approval from the Ethics Committee of the University of Hyogo (No.2019F21).
The 40-min program consisted of stretching exercises, and seven types of muscle strengthening exercises [13]. Muscle strengthening exercises included lifting both arms up, lifting both arms to the side, getting up from the chair, knee extension exercises, knee lift exercises, lateral leg lifting exercises, and standing hip extension exercises. Weights were attached to the limbs and could be increased to 2.2 kg over 10 steps [13]. If the muscle pain persisted for > 1 week, the weights were reduced, and then increased again, by the participants, once the pain had subsided. In terms of when to change to a higher weight was determined by the participants themselves. Exercises were conducted once a week. However, the decision to participate was left to the individual.
The physical fitness measurements of the participants were included for analysis. The participants were informed of the date and time of the physical fitness tests in advance. We assessed weight (kg), knee extension muscle strength (kgf), and TUG time (sec). Knee extension muscle strength (kgf) was adjusted to body weight (%). As an indicator of lower extremity muscle strength, the strength of the knee extensors was measured using a hand-held dynamometer (μTas F-1; Anima Co., Tokyo, Japan) (Supplemental image 1) [14]. The reproducibility and validity of determining the knee extension force, using a hand-held dynamometer, has been described in young healthy subjects [14] and hemiplegic patients [15]. Measurements were recorded continuously by one trained physical therapist. No preparatory exercises were performed. The maximum value of two consecutive measurements was registered for further analysis. With the participants seated in a chair, the length of the belt was adjusted so that the knee joint was at 90° when a force was applied. Measurements were taken with a fixation belt worn over the two lateral digits from the outer edge of the tibia (Supplemental image 2). TUG was measured as a direct physical performance test. The TUG test is a reliable, cost-effective, safe, and time-efficient way to evaluate overall functional mobility [16] and measures the time taken to stand up from a chair, to walk and turn around at a mark 3 m ahead, then back to being fully seated in the chair again.
In addition, we used the motor fitness scale (MFS) score to evaluate the physical ability of the participants, based on mobility that was equivalent to the direct measurement of physical performance among older residents who had improved levels of health status and functioning [17]. The highest total score attainable was 14 points, with higher scores indicating better physical performance. The MFS displays a high internal consistency (α = 0.92) and test-retest reliability (individual correlation [ICC] = 0.92) [18]; it comprises three subscales including mobility, muscle strength, and balance.
Covariates that were controlled included age, sex, the frailty index (activities of daily living, motor skills, low nutrition, dysphagia, cognitive function, depression, and home-boundedness), and the Kihon Checklist scores (KCL) [19]. This checklist included a self-administered questionnaire consisting of a total of 25 questions.
Duration of exercises
At a "lively 100-years-old physical exercise" session, older adults were required to participate in physical fitness tests every 4 months during the first year, and thereafter, once annually. The total number of physical fitness tests per participant ranged from 1 to 13 times. The 25th percentile was three times and the 75th percentile was seven times. Therefore, in this analysis, all participants were divided into three groups according to the total number of participations and completed physical tests. Participants who took the tests < 3 times were placed in a short-term participation group, those who took the tests four to six times were placed in the mid-term participation group, and those who took the tests seven to 13 times were placed in the long-term participation group.
All statistical analyses were conducted using R version 3.6.3 (Vienna, Austria), with the lme4 package [20] to fit the mixed-effects models [21]. Mixed-effects models can adequately adjust for missing data as an outcome variable, by the missing at random (MAR) assumption. Maximum likelihood methods were used for the analysis of missing data because the pattern of the missing data was not missing completely at random (MCAR). MLM is an extension of regression that allows for simultaneous estimation of fixed and random effects and is additionally robust for unbalanced data (i.e., missing observations) [22,23,24]. The t-test and the chi-square test were used to compare the baseline data. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05.
MLM was used to identify the physical performance slope difference between groups of different ages. Age was centred by the mean age of all participants. Centering changes an estimated intercept score in models, but does not influence estimated regression coefficients in the model. Intercept scores can be interpreted as the predicted value of outcome where age was mean age and the other predictors were zero except. We used the model to estimate the mean at each point in the reference grid for each age from 65 to 90 years old. Marginal means were estimated as equally weighted means of these predictions at specified margins.
We investigated the associations between the participation level and changes in lower extremity muscle strength, TUG time, and MFS using the following three models: Model 1 was an unadjusted model with a random slope model. Model 2 was adjusted for age, sex, frailty index (depression, home-boundedness, dysphagia, poor nutrition, cognitive status) with a random slope model.
Baseline demographic characteristics
A comparison of baseline demographic characteristics is shown in Table 1. The mean total duration of the physical tests from baseline was 2.35 years (SD = 2.51), the mean duration of the short-term group was 0.75 years (SD = 1.21), the mean duration of the mid-term group was 3.81 years (SD = 1.60), and the mean duration of the long-term group was 6.44 years (SD = 1.19). The mean age of all the participants was 74.3 years (SD = 8.0), the mean body weight was 52.5 kg (SD = 9.4), the mean knee extension strength was 19.0 kgf (SD = 11.6), the mean lower extremity muscle strength was 50.7% (SD = 19.4), the mean TUG time was 7.6 s (SD = 3.4), and the mean MFS score was 10.6 points (SD = 3.5). In total, 17.0% of the sample was male. The total number of missing values for age was 4, sex was 6, muscle strength was 183, TUG was 126, and MFS was 43. The difference in the mean age between groups was not significant at baseline (p = 0.13). The lower extremity muscle strength was significantly lower in the long-term participant group than in the short-term participant group (p < 0.001). However, TUG time was significantly faster in the long-term participant group than in the short-term participant group (p < 0.001). In addition, the difference in mean MFS score was significantly higher in the long-term participant group than in the short-term participant group (p < 0.001).
Table 1 Baseline characteristics of participants
Multilevel linear regression models
First, we estimated the intra-ICC by null models as a fixed effect only. ICC is used to give a sense of how much variance is explained by a random effect in MLM. For muscle strength, over half of the variance was between individuals. In the TUG test, over 60% of the variance was in TUG time of individuals. For the MFS, approximately 80% of the variance in the score was between individuals. That is, 50–80% of the variance, not explained by the linear effect of age, was attributable to person-to-person differences. Moreover, the unexplained or residual variance was less for the model that included person-specific slopes (trajectories over time).
We specifically wanted to know if the trajectory over time differed for the short-term, mid-term, and long-term participation groups. This translated into a fixed-effects interaction between age and groups. We examined the effect of age on lower extremity muscle strength (Fig. 1a). A slope of deterioration in lower extremity muscle strength was found only in the short-term participant group. However, in the mid-term and long-term participation groups, the slope showed a trend of improvement. Next, we examined the effect of age on TUG time (Fig. 1b). The TUG time declined with increasing age in both groups divided by the duration of participation. Finally, we examined the effect of age on MFS score (Fig. 1c). The MFS score also declined with increasing age in both groups divided by the duration of participation. The TUG time and the MFS scores worsened in all groups. However, there was a slower rate of deterioration in the long-term participation group. For every 5-year increase in age, the long-term participation group reported faster TUG time and higher MFS scores at all periods compared with those who discontinued the exercises earlier. The estimated marginal means are shown in Supplemental Table 1.
Slopes of changes and estimated marginal means (95% confidence interval) of participants in community-dwelling group exercises. There were three panels: a weight-adjusted knee muscle strength; b timed up and go; c motor fitness scale. The slopes and estimated marginal means were obtained from linear mixed models. Bar lines show 95% confidence intervals for the estimated marginal means at each 5-year point. Figure 1 and Supplemental Table 1 correspond
Table 2 shows regression coefficients obtained from the multilevel linear regression models. Model 1 was an unadjusted model. In Model 2, we controlled for the frequency of participation, sex, depression, frailty index (home-bound, dysphagia, poor nutrition, cognitive status). In Model 2, lower extremity muscle strength intercept scores of 59.88% were determined and declined significantly at a rate of − 1.82% for every additional year of age (p < 0.001). On average, a TUG time intercept score of 7.06 s was determined and then declined significantly by 0.79 s for every additional year of age (p < 0.001). Moreover, the MFS intercept scores were 11.14 points and declined significantly by − 0.84 points for every additional year of age (p < 0.001). One way to judge a model is to compare the estimated means to the observed means to determine how accurately they are represented by the model. This excellent fit of the estimated marginal means to the observed data supports the hypothesis that the change across age was linear. The interaction term for frequency of participation and age was significant, indicating that the gradient of age varied according to the frequency of participation because the interaction for age and frequency of participation was significant (Table 2).
Table 2 Regression coefficients obtained from the multilevel linear regression models
To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to clarify the relationship between longer-term participation in group exercise and the positive effect in older adults. Notably, this is the first MLM analysis to be applied to a physical assessment of the participation of the "lively 100-years-old physical exercise" program. This study not only found that lower extremity muscle strength, TUG time, and MFS scores declined with age, but differences in slopes depended on the duration of participation in group exercises in the community were also determined.
A deterioration in lower extremity muscle strength was only observed for the short-term participation group. However, in the mid-term and long-term participation groups, the slope showed an increasing trend. This study showed that participation in group exercise may improve the lower extremity muscle strength of older adults living in the community, even after removing the effect of age. There was a substantial change in the slope of lower extremity muscle strength, with the largest slope observed for the long-term participation group. In this study, the slope of weight loss was almost the same for the duration of participation as shown in the appendix, however, the muscle strength increased in the middle- and long-term participation groups. This suggested that rather than an increase in muscle mass, there was an increase in muscle force output. Random effects represent between-subject effects. Adding the random slopes did not significantly change the estimates for the fixed effects.
It is known that among community-dwelling older adults, objective measures of lower extremity function have been highly predictive of subsequent disability [25]. A recent study found that age-related loss of muscle strength was only partially explained by the reduction in muscle mass and that other physiologic factors explained the muscle weakness in older adults [26]. Previous research suggests that muscle weakness in older adults is more likely as a result of impairments in central neural activation and/or reductions in the intrinsic force-generating capacity of skeletal muscle [27,28,29]. This study revealed that participation in group exercise had a positive effect on the knee muscle strength even when age-related changes were removed. A systematic review found that predominantly balance and functional training reduced falls compared with an inactive control group in older adults living in the community [30]. Lower extremity muscle power was no better than knee-extension torque or handgrip in the early identification of poor mobility, defined either as a walking speed of < 0.8 m/s or the inability to walk at least 1 km without difficulty [31]. It has also been shown to be useful in the evaluation of group exercises in the community. Further investigations are needed to determine how improvements in muscle strengthening, with active exercise, affects older adults.
In terms of TUG time, the change worsened in all groups. In terms of MFS scores, the change also worsened in all groups. However, there was a slower slope of deterioration in the long-term participation group. A previous study reported that MFS scores of social educational activities increased significantly from 11.67 ± 2.54 points to 11.84 ± 2.54 points (p = 0.043) with a high number of sessions (≥7 times: twice or more a month) after 6 months, and from 11.58 ± 2.70 points to 11.79 ± 2.67 points (p = 0.007) in all participants [32]. An examination of the cut-off point, combined with the results of the MFS scores, should be considered in the future.
In this study, group exercise increased lower extremity muscle strength in the long-term and mid-term participation groups, but TUG time and MFS score did not improve and weakened with a deterioration in age. Previous research reported that in frail adults, resistance training increased strength and TUG time [33]. However, in stronger community-dwelling adults, resistance training further increased strength but did not affect TUG time [34]. It has been shown that when the isometric knee extensor strength was 0.5 kgf/kg (50%) or higher, the effect of muscle strength on gait parameters was small (mean age, 75.0 years old) [35]. The estimated muscle strength intercept scores in participants of this study was 59.88% which may have influenced the results.
Despite accounting for age-related declines, group exercise among older adults living in the community was found to have a positive impact on the duration of participation. The "lively 100-years-old physical exercise" which is gaining popularity in Japan, was discontinued in this city between April and May 2020 due to the spread of a COVID-19; however, 90% of the groups had resumed by August. Community-based initiatives in which older adults proactively get together and exercise in their neighbourhoods have been shown to delay the functional decline associated with aging, which should motivate the government, older adults, and their families to work on long-term care prevention. A systematic review reported that only exercise programs that were conducted in groups were effective in preventing frailty [36]. Exercises can influence the muscle during aging and should be emphasized as part of a lifestyle essential to healthy aging.
This study has limitations. First, because this study used secondary data, we could not determine other potentially related factors, such as history of diseases. Second, as the reasons for participants quitting the exercise group were unknown, we could not assess the status of their final physical tests. Third, as this is a retrospective cohort study with secondary data, we are unable to determine the causal relationship. Fourth, we measured kgf as the unit of knee extension muscle strength. When converted to Newton (N), which is used as an International System of Units System (SI), the value is kgf × 9.80665. Kg is used as a unit of body weight and is easy to understand for community-dwelling older adults in Japan, and grip strength was explained in kgf. Therefore, kgf/weight (%) was used in this study. Fifth, since the values are measured by a hand-held dynamometer that considers the fixation system using a belt, they are lower than those measured by an isokinetic muscle force measuring device. However, it is versatile in that it can compensate for the problems associated with manual immobilization [37]. There were no participants who only participated in physical fitness tests. It is possible that participants who disliked the physical fitness tests may have not attended the tests, but all participants attended the first test and the effect on the results is considered to be small.
The lower extremity muscle strength intercept scores of 59.88% were determined and changed by approximately − 2% for every additional year of age (p < 0.001). On average, a TUG time intercept score of 7.06 s was determined and changed by approximately 1 s for every additional year of age (p < 0.001). Moreover, the MFS intercept scores were 11.14 points and then changed by approximately − 1 points for every additional year of age (p < 0.001). These finding create a basis for further studies in this area. This study not only found that lower extremity muscle strength, TUG time, and MFS scores decline with age, but also that differences in the slope depended on the duration of participation in group exercise in the community. Long-term participation in community group exercise improves lower extremity muscle strength and delays age-related declines in walking speed and physical function in older adults, despite the effects of aging.
The datasets used during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
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This work was partially supported by Sumoto City. We would like to thank Mr. Hiroshi Hatayama. Sumoto city had no role in data analysis, data interpretation, and writing of the manuscript.
This work was supported by KAKENHI (Grant Number: 18 K10645, 21H03273).
Research Institute of Nursing Care for People and Community, University of Hyogo, 13-71 Kitaoji-cho, Akashi, Hyogo, 673-8588, Japan
Chisato Hayashi & Sonoe Mashino
Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, 6-1 Kishibeshinmachi, Suita, Osaka, 564-8565, Japan
Soshiro Ogata
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-4-3 Asahi-machi, Abeno-ku, Osaka-City, Osaka, 545-8585, Japan
Tadashi Okano & Hiromitsu Toyoda
Chisato Hayashi
Tadashi Okano
Hiromitsu Toyoda
Sonoe Mashino
CH, SO, TO, HT, SM contributed to the development of the original protocol. CH performed the statistical analysis. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Correspondence to Chisato Hayashi.
This study received approval from the Ethics Committee of the University of Hyogo (No.2019F21). This study was a retrospective cohort study with secondary data collected by Sumoto City. Permission to provide data for this study was obtained in accordance with Article 18 of the Sumoto City Information Disclosure Ordinance (Sumoto City Ordinance No. 17, 2006) and Article 38 of the Sumoto City Personal Information Protection Ordinance (Sumoto City Ordinance No. 18, 2006).
All author approved the manuscript.
None of the authors have a conflict of interest.
Additional file 1: Supplemental Table 1.
Estimated marginal means of lower extremity muscle strength, TUG time and motor fitness scale obtained by linear mixed models.
Additional file 2: Supplemental image 1.
A hand-held dynamometer (μTas F-1; Anima Co., Tokyo, Japan).
An image of the dynamometer set up.
Slopes of changes and estimated marginal means (95% confidence interval) of participants in community-dwelling group exercises. There were three panels: (D) weight. Bar lines show 95% confidence intervals for the estimated marginal means at each 5-year point.
Hayashi, C., Ogata, S., Okano, T. et al. Long-term participation in community group exercise improves lower extremity muscle strength and delays age-related declines in walking speed and physical function in older adults. Eur Rev Aging Phys Act 18, 6 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s11556-021-00260-2
Group exercises
Community-dwelling older adults
Lower extremity muscle strength
TUG time
Motor fitness scale


The Government, which previously mooted withdrawing the Tourism Enhancement Fund's (TEF) sponsorship of International Coastal Cleanup Day (ICC), spearheaded locally by Jamaica Environment Trust (JET), has pumped approximately $10 million into the project this year, two million more than last year.
"Tourism relies on our coasts being clean and beautiful; therefore, we believe this programme is good value for money," said TEF's Executive Director Dr Carey Wallace speaking at JET's flagship clean-up site at Palisadoes Go-Kart Track on Saturday.
"We put $8 million into the International Coastal Cleanup Day. After that, we put another $2 million for our ministry and its agencies to participate. We have been sponsoring for the past 10 years, and have spent approximately $50 million during that period," Carey said.
International Coastal Cleanup Day is coordinated globally by the Ocean Conservancy in the USA and locally by JET. It attracts millions of volunteers in more than 100 countries who clean up beaches and waterways to raise awareness about marine pollution.
Last year, Jamaica had 9,675 volunteers at over 147 sites, which was the 12th largest ICC event in the world. This was also the largest ICC day turnout in the English-speaking Caribbean.
"As far as our participation in this event, from a global perspective, we are doing extremely well. It is very encouraging and heart-warming to see that, as Jamaicans, we not only spend the time and energy to clean up our coastlines but we also demonstrate to the world that we are environmentally responsible. Last year it was 93 miles of coast that was cleaned up by the programme, "said Dr Wallace.
Saturday's clean-up came days before Government's announcement that a ban on single-use plastic bags, plastic straws and Styrofoam will take effect January 1, 2019.
The JET CEO Suzanne Stanley, welcomed the decision and shared that she is excited about the future outcome.
"We are very excited about the announcement for single- use plastics. We are looking forward to those strategies being implemented by the Government, which, on the legislative side, can address some of the problems. But we as Jamaicans also have a responsibility to dispose of our garbage properly," said Stanley.
The Ministry of Tourism's clean-up took place at 15 beaches across the island with 487 volunteers from Destination Assurance Councils, Tourism Action Clubs, as well as members of staff.
The Ministry said ICC is a fraction of its partnership with JET through TEF to protect the environment, pointing out that, in 2014, it expanded its commitment with the Clean Coasts Project, which includes environmental education for adults and children along with practical strategies for tackling poor solid waste management and marine debris in Jamaica. To date, TEF has funded the Clean Coats Project, under which ICC falls to the tune of $146 million, including $25 million in 2018.


rocky's bru: The sins of the father?
It's Najib Razak who will be singing Dr Mahathir's signature number in the days to come. Such is politics.
But if the PM decides that Mukhriz Mahathir's position is no longer tenable, given that it does look untenable, he will find the younger man a suitable role to assume on his team. It is hard to imagine Najib kicking out anyone for good. He brought in Saifuddin Abdullah despite an unacceptable defeat in the last GE, placed many ex-Umno people who had left Pakatan to serve him in many important posts, including Senatorships and as ambassadors, and retired several seemingly useless and meaningless ex-Cabinet Ministers in cushy corporate nests.
Mukhriz oozes potential. With the right position and environment, he'd fulfil his promise.
I'm not going to beat around the bush: the so-called coup against Mukhriz Mahathir is the inevitale implication of the actions of his father, Tun Mahathir Mohamad.
Not the only reason, for sure. The Menteri Besar has not performed and has failed to deliver, they said. He spent too much time in Kuala Lumpur, others complained. But those are by-the-way factors, if true. The main reason why the Umno leaders in the state want Mukhriz replaced is because Mahathir has decided to keep up attacks on Najib Razak, come what may.
You didn't expect all the President's men (and women) in Kedah to remain idle, did you? Sooner or later, something would give. Inevitable.
I like Mukhriz. There's nothing not to like about the man. He's not just a nice man but a very nice man. But nice men, I am reminded often, don't win wars. That's why daddy has been winning all the battles he'd chosen to fight before this. That was why Pak Lah was doomed from the start (the people around him were nasty but Pak Lah was a nice man).
And the reason why Najib is still standing long after they expected him to drop dead (politically) after Mahathir had launched his incessant attacks late 2014, abetted by the Opposition and other foes in general.
Mukrhiz says he's a rakyat's MB by the Sultan's consent. But he was picked and put there by Najib Razak. The PM and Umno President is his Boss, whether he likes it or not. He won't be the first MB to be removed and he won't be the last for failing to show support for the Boss.
Only two men, together, can save Mukhriz now. Mahathir and Najib.
What are the chances? Will Mahathir ease his attacks on Najib to ensure his son's political survival? I don't see Najib's ex-boss going on the defensive. On the contrary, I expect the attacks on Najib to intensify.
"That was why Pak Lah was doomed from the start (the people around him were nasty but Pak Lah was nice)."
"......the people around him were nasty?"
Does that include you Latuk?
"Only two men, together, can save Mukhriz now. Mahathir and Najib."
But who can save Najib?
Financial interest, or national interest?
Good guy(perceived) or not, the blood of his father flows through him.
Good riddance to the spawn of the devil!
Its the father's courageous deeds that got his son in trouble! Your posting title is at best shows your "licking" attitude to Ah Jib thus confirming your sins in his payroll..and no Ah Jib did not put Mukhriz there! Ah Jib was forced to appoint Mukhriz to win KEDAH..and it is Allah SWT will...and insya Allah...Ah Jib and his goons will fall very soon.
Nocando. Either Najib is going back his words or his people dont listen to him. Remember what he said to resolve the problems internally.
Bru... I am very dissapointed in u. U are supposed to be good in reading between the lines or u are playing safe. Either reasons u are totally screwed up like the politicians esp. after getting paid by them.
All those attending the PC to oust Mukhriz are MPs with vested interest. The ex-MB who lost Kedah to PAS in GE12 also supported them in TV3, by phone from England. (Why Najib looked-up too much to ex-colonist, I really don't understand). The worst part was that an MP holding a religious portfolio was also there and he was recently alleged to have misuse funds destine for orphans, to play golf in the US.
One thing is sure. This cannot be for the good of Kedahan and Malaysia too. Looks like everything is about 'Cash is King' and the Rakyat is the last thing in the minds of Najib's cabinet members.
Therefore, Yes Dato Rocky, the attack on that lame PM will intensify.
One more thing, Dato Rocky.
If Najib had not made the promise to make Mukhriz MB during GE13's election, do you think UMNO/BN could wrestle back Kedah from PAS?
Do you know which State seat Najib made Mukhriz to contest? Air Hitam was a PAS stronghold.
Do you know that those delegates were called to attend a divisional meeting, not knowing that a PC was to be held instead, hosted by Ahmad Bashah, to oust Mukhriz?
I'm really pissed-off with UMNO, now.
saja nak Tanya tok ! geran bantuan tlh d terima ke bagi 2016? jgn marah bergurau sahaja.
I totally agree wth most that just like pm, mukriz is leaving on borrowed time. he may either end up loitering in d wilderness n najib may unfortunatell end up in bamboo river.
we r living in very interesting times.
Rocky ruckus, you're in deep transgression and it ain't your papa's fault, no boy!
Nak tunjuk pada rakyat semua yg mahathir buat hanya utk masa depan politik anaknya?
Itu shj idea yg mampu kem najib berikan?
Bila mamak diam membisu dan menurut kemahuan ketua bahagian, apa najib mampu raih?
Kenapa tiada seorang pun membangkitkan persoalan mahu menjatuhkan pemimpin islam?
Tindakan tidak demokratik atau tidak menurut perlembagaan?
Adakah kedah sudah begitu selesa atau sudah begitu tenat hingga mahukan mb baru?
Atau memang badi dikedah semenjak zaman pas lagi?
Negeri selangor sakit semenjak dulu masih gagal diubati, tapi negeri sihat diberi racun.
Dimanakah demi agama bangsa dan negara disebalik tiap perbuatan najib?
He IS dead. A walking dead. A zombie. He is wondering desperately in search for a final home. He is eyeing the blue mosque but his bff is waiting for him at the local national mosque. But, friends for live, is for the living only! He will continue his killings until he rot himself. In the meantime, he IS dead. A walking nasty dead and the dead one has no mercy.
Now the war been extended to the sons, though in Malaysia, this is not new. Previously, it's the in-law's. In a war, casualties abound. Those who started it, must have make the necessary calculations, to make it winnable. They better be. War history is full of surprises. To Datuk MM, now you will know your true friends and turncoats. To the voters, they now know who they have chosen previosuly and who will they chose in the next round. DSMM, please dont give-in. It's a war you did not started. Finish it!
Nagib Razak is further digging deeper his and BN grave by removing Mukhriz. He should whack the traitors asking for Mukhriz removal by giving petty excuse to prove to the voters that such action is uncall for.
If they can fired those grass root Sepang UMNO leader for demanding Nagib Razak to step down, what is the difference with the action taken by this so call warlord of Kedah UMNO?? Is not the offence is the same?? They should all be fired - only THESE action will turn the silence voters trust back into UMNO / BN.
Only idiots survive in UMNO.
Looks like Cash is king guy miscalculate the amount to bribe kedah umno branch chief, only 54 came to show their discontent of muhkriz. Next time benchmark payment against Sharil payment then more will come to Pwtc to show their dissatisfaction of muhkriz.
Sins of the father only the children has to endures. Whereas sins of a son the whole Malaysians suffer.
Sure the Palace will love him?


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Kystbanens rullende materiel er en oversigt over Kystbanens nuværende og historiske togtyper.

Nuværende

Historisk

Fodnoter

Referencer

DSB
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Lister relateret til Danmark

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Stories & features
2022 stories & features
Home › News › Stories & features › 2022 stories & features
How you can help recyclers do their job
Plastic waste recycling is now a sophisticated process. In B.C., the majority of plastics are processed and turned into plastic pellets, which are then used to create recycled plastic products.
Know your takeout containers and the official materials list
There's a home somewhere outside the landfill for everything from pizza boxes to batteries and plastic wrapping. The more we pay attention to sorting those items, the better B.C.'s recycling system will work.
Despite rumours to the contrary, B.C.'s residential packaging and paper recyclable items aren't just collected locally and shipped off to foreign countries. About 97% of plastics collected by Recycle BC, for example, are processed into tiny pellets and re-used to create new plastic products.
"We collect over 200,000 tonnes of material each year, and 90% of what we collect is managed by recycling," says Lyndsey Chauhan, marketing communications director for Recycle BC. "We want residents to be familiar with the material list, which is important for a couple reasons."
The biggest reason, says Chauhan, is that Recycle BC wants to find a way to collect as many residential packaging and paper recyclable items as possible. And without knowing the full materials list, many people are unaware that even plastic bags, foam and plastic overwrap, are recyclable. You just need to collect it and drop it off at a depot instead of putting it in your recycling pick-up bins.
"If people don't help us collect those items in the first place, we can't recycle them," she says.
The other big reason for getting up to speed on the materials list is to reduce contamination. That's where the "right item, right place" mantra hits home, as batteries tossed in with paper can result in fires, and oily food containers can spoil perfectly recyclable items around them.
With Chauhan as our guide, here are a few things to pay attention to as you sort and recycle as much as you can.
Check the materials list online
Get to know Recycle BC's materials list for details about the majority of household packaging and paper items, and ElectroRecycle's accepted products list for electronics. Also check The Recycling Council of B.C.'s Recyclopedia, which includes the most complete list in B.C.
Did you know that London Drugs locations also accept a long list of items that include paper, plastic bags and overwrap, batteries and electronics, light bulbs, and medications?
Sort and/or clean items to reduce contamination
"The less contamination there is, the more material we can recycle," says Chauhan. "We ask that for items that have some residue, or a bit of food product on them, that residents rinse them off a little."
That doesn't mean using litres of hot water to thoroughly rinse out an olive oil container. But it does mean not tossing that container into the bin with an ounce or two of oil still in it, or "recycling" a pizza box with pieces of crust or melted cheese still in the box or egg shells in the egg carton.
And then there are the plastics. Check to see that a plastic item has a recyclable symbol on it – that broken salad spinner, for instance, may not be recyclable at all – and then see if a recyclable (check the number) lines up with the acceptable items list.
There's also a list of items you can't put in your recycling bin but that can be dropped off at a recycling depot, including some plastic items that don't have a recycable symbol. Those items include white and coloured foam packaging (Styrofoam, etc.), plastic shopping bags, plastic overwrap from paper towel and other packages, and even those crinkly potato chip bags.
Take care to sort through takeout containers to see what might be compostable, according to guidelines in your area, what's plastic and what isn't recyclable. Anything that's not compostable should be rinsed and placed in an appropriate bin.
One takeout food container is not like the other
With the rise of food takeout during the COViD-19 pandemic, there's been an explosion of single-use packaging, ranging from paper, to plastics to compostable paper takeout containers. What you do with those items depends on whether they're recyclable or compostable in your area, and they should be rinsed to remove food residue.
Recycle BC has an excellent blog post on takeout packaging that includes a plea to keep white foam containers clear of the recycling bin, as they can crumble easily and contaminate the recyclable containers they're tossed in with. That foam is recyclable, but you'll need to collect it for a trip to a recycling depot.
Plastic packaging labeled compostable, biodegradable, oxodegradable, or photodegradable is not accepted in your recycling bin. And not all items labelled "compostable" are compostable in your town or city. You can check with your local government to learn what is and is not accepted in organics bins.
Keep hazardous items out of the bin
Batteries are recyclable, but need to be taken to a depot. When compressed in a collection truck or at a recycling facility, they can cause fires. Keep a bag handy to collect used batteries, then drop them off in the appropriate bin at a local recycling depot.
It's equally important to keep lighters, butane or propane canisters, flammable liquids, ammunition, paint, knives and electronics out of recycling bins Read the warning labels you find on these products and take care to dispose of them properly. Learn more about hazardous materials and how to dispose of them properly. Use this hazardous items search tool to find out where you can take such materials.
If it runs on electricity, it's probably recyclable
Most items that run on electricity, including battery-operated toys and other items, are recyclable. It's a good idea to keep a clearly marked bin or bag in your home to collect such items (keep a separate bag for batteries) you can drop off later at a local depot.
The list of recyclable electronics is long and includes power tools, blenders, treadmills, audio equipment, medical equipment, cell phones and residential office appliances such as photocopiers. You can find a list or search for electronics items at returnit.ca or at electrorecycle.ca.
Who pays for recycling?
While provincial and local governments promote recycling in a big way, they don't fund Recycle BC's residential packaging and paper recycling program. Recycle BC is a not-for-profit organization that gets its funding from businesses that supply residential household packaging and paper to B.C. residents.
"It's not like the recycling deposit, with the consumers actually paying a fee specifically for each item," says Chauhan. "We work directly with the producers. The program is funded by the businesses and the producers, and that's somewhat unique as a producer responsibility program."
That program also allows Recycle BC to have a consistent acceptable materials list across the province, so that consumers don't have to be re-educated should they move within the province. "It helps to avoid confusion," says Chauhan.
What should I do with delivery packaging? (Recycle BC)
How to recycle common takeout packaging (Recycle BC)
10 things you really need to know about recycling
10 things you need to know about recycling that can help us reduce B.C.'s landfills and clean up our recycling act.
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How we can help support you
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What is Back Onside?
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What is Offload?
Why Offload?
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Offload in the workplace
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Join Rugby League Cares
Home > About Us > Meet The Team
Tim Adams MBE
Tim is a chartered accountant with a long and distinguished involvement in Rugby League. He was chairman of Sheffield Eagles when they won the Challenge Cup in 1998 and was a director of Super League (Europe) from 1998 to 2002.
He has been the chairman of the RFL Benevolent Fund since 2004 and has been involved with RL Cares since the charity's inception in 2011.
Tim also has a passion for horse racing and is a trustee of the Northern Racing College and chairman of the Leger Legends, a race which has raised over £1m for good causes in the last nine years.
Contact: via Tracey Barr – tracey.barr@rlcares.org.uk
Chris Rostron
Head of RL Cares
Chris has been involved in Rugby League for 20 years, having previously worked as a development officer with Bradford Bulls, where he established the club's charitable foundation in 2004. He joined Leeds Rhinos in 2006 to work with the trustees of the newly-created Leeds Rugby Foundation.
Chris left Leeds in December 2010 to join the RFL as Head of Partnerships, a role that involved reviewing all charitable programmes in the sport. The outcome of the review was the establishment of RL Cares in February 2013, since when Chris has been head of the charity.
Email: chris.rostron@rlcares.org.uk
Steve Ball
RFL Benevolent Fund General Manager
Steve has enjoyed a lifelong involvement in Rugby League, including roles as Chief Executive of Batley RLFC and Hull FC, chairman of Hunslet Hawks and a director at both the RFL and Leeds Rhinos.
A former schoolteacher, Steve was appointed full-time General Manager of the RFL Benevolent Fund in 2009.
Emma Rosewarne
Head of Welfare
Emma joined the charity in January 2019 as Head of Welfare having previously worked for the Rugby Football League for over 20 years in a number of roles, including Operations Director and, more recently Welfare Director.
Email: emma.rosewarne@rlcares.org.uk
Steve McCormack
Transition Manager
Steve joined the charity in February 2019 when he became the sport's first ever Transition Manager, a role that will see him help players prepare for the next stage of their lives at the end of their rugby careers.
Steve had previously worked as Player Welfare Manager at Wigan Warriors having enjoyed a successful coaching career at club and international level with Widnes, Salford, Whitehaven, Gateshead, Barrow, Swinton and Scotland, who he coached in three RL World Cups.
Email: steve.mccormack@rlcares.org.uk
Julie Measures
Julie became the sport's first dedicated Career Coach following her appointment in February 2019, having previously fulfilled a similar role on a consultancy basis with the RFL from 2011.
Julie's vast experience and knowledge of the workplace and educational environment helps her advise players on preparing and training for life after rugby.
Email: julie.measures@rlcares.org.uk
Tracey Barr
Operations and Events Manager
Tracey is one of the sport's most experienced administrators, having previously spent more than 20 years working for the RFL in a number of roles, including events management.
Tracey joined the charity in the summer of 2018 from Leeds Rhinos, where she spent almost three years as a commercial sales executive.
Email: Tracey.Barr@rlcares.org.uk
Emma Goldsmith
Health Programme Manager
Emma Goldsmith has worked in a range of programme management and business development roles across the healthcare industry. She has led multiple projects focused on improving the health and wellbeing of Rugby League communities, including Hull, Bradford, Wigan, St Helens and Salford.
Emma is using this experience to bring health programmes to the sport, including Offload and the 'ManVan' with a number of partners including the Big Lottery, Oddballs Foundation and Movember Foundation.
Emma is on maternity leave until the autumn of 2019.
Liam Parker
Health Manager
Liam joined RL Cares in the autumn of 2018 as maternity leave cover for Health Programme Manager Emma Goldsmith.
A former student at Hymers College, Hull, Liam is actively involved in managing our men's health and wellbeing projects, Back Onside and Offload, and works closely with professional club foundations on a wide range of health initiatives.
Email: liam.parker@rlcares.org.uk
Brigid Power
Heritage Programme Manager
Brigid is a museums specialist with extensive experience of delivering successful exhibitions across a range of museum activities. She has previously worked at the Thackray Medical Museum in Leeds and the National Mining Museum Scotland.
Brigid has played a key role working with Bradford Council on plans to open a National RL Museum based within City Hall.
Brigid is currently undertaking a PhD looking at the impact Rugby League heritage projects have on individuals, communities and societies.
Sarah Elston
Cultural Partnerships Programme Manager
Sarah has worked in community dance development for over 12 years, having trained professionally with youth dance company Momentum Dance.
Between 2007 and 2013 she launched and ran a successful dance programme and stadium-based dance academy at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. During the 2013 Rugby League World Cup Sarah managed a team of 32 dancers who performed throughout the tournament.
Sarah joined RL Cares in 2013 to head up the RLWC2013 Dance Legacy Programme and project managed Join the Momentum, a dance programme that linked Rugby League club foundations with professional dance companies.
Sarah is also Director of Pro Event Yorkshire, a company that helps dance artists find work within schools and the community sector, and is choreographer for the Rugby League Rockettes, who appear at all major Rugby Leagues events.
Email: danceprogramme@rlcares.org.uk
John Ledger
Media and Communications Manager
John joined the charity in 2015 after spending seven years heading up the RFL's media and PR team. During his time at the RFL, John revived the Rugby League Hall of Fame and was involved in the project to deliver the Legends statue at Wembley Stadium.
A former journalist at the Yorkshire Post and Sunday Times, John was England's media manager on the 2010 Four Nations in Australia and New Zealand and is the secretary of the Rugby League Lions Association.
Email: media@rlcares.org.uk
Keith Senior
Player Support Officer
A former Great Britain international player, Keith won four Super League Grand Finals with Leeds Rhinos and also tasted Challenge Cup final success at Wembley with Sheffield Eagles in 1998.
Keith is involved in the charity's Player Welfare Programme and delivers regular workshops to players on the benefits of joining RL Cares and engaging with the partners in the RL Cares Business Club. He combines his role with the position of assistant coach at Sheffield Eagles.
And help us make a difference.
Why not help us support the Rugby League family by making a donation to Rugby League Cares? Donate £20 and we'll send you an electronic copy of our twice-yearly magazine, One In, All In and keep you up to date with all the important work we do.
Rugby League Cares is a registered charity in England and Wales (1150763).
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