1 . The benefits of regular exercise are well documented but there’s a new bonus to add to the ever-growing list. New researchers found that middle-aged women who were physically fit could be nearly 90 percent less likely to develop dementia in later life, and as they did, it came on a decade later than less sporty women.

Lead researcher Dr. Helena Horder, of the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, said : "These findings are exciting because it’s possible that improving people's cardiovascular （心血管的）fitness in middle age could delay or even prevent them from developing dementia. "

For the study, 191 women with an average age of 50 took a bicycle exercise test until they were exhausted to measure their peak （最大值的） cardiovascular capacity. The average peak workload was measured at 103 watts.

A total of 40 women met the criteria for a high fitness level, or 120 watts or higher. A total of 92 women were in the medium fitness category; and 59 women were in the low fitness category, defined as a peak workload of 80 watts or less, or having their exercise tests stopped because of high blood pressure, chest pain or other cardiovascular problems.

These women were then tested for dementia six times over the following four decades. During that time, 44 of the women developed dementia. Five percent of the highly fit women developed dementia, compared to 25 percent of the women with medium fitness and 32 percent of the women with low fitness.

"However, this study does not show cause and effect between cardiovascular fitness and dementia, it only shows an association. More research is needed to see if improved fitness could have a positive effect on the risk of dementia and also to look at when during a lifetime a high fitness level is most important. " She also admitted that a relatively small number of women were studied, all of whom were form Sweden, so the results might not be applicable to other groups.

3 . My mother turned ninety. I knew I needed to find a senior _______ center. Not for her — for me. If I were at her age, I would want to stay in shape to _______ life, getting a lot of pleasure. Yes, walking in local parks was my _______, but I wasn’t so active as before.

I called a nearby center, “Do you have aerobics (有氧运动) classes _______ for seniors?” “Sure. Come and check us out! We start at 10 am,” the receptionist (接待员) replied and _______. The next morning, I went there. One part of me was _______ that the class was too easy, not doing me any good. The other part feared it was too hard for me to _______.

When I came into the room, a woman _______ me, “Oh, you’re new. Welcome.” Then the music started. The hour-long workout woke up the muscles I didn’t often _______ in daily walks, suiting me fine. I became a member there. My classmates ranged in age from fifty to ninety. Most gave the exercises their own ________, doing as much or little as they could. ________ no one kept score. Soon I learned physical well-being wasn’t the only ________ there. During breaks, people chatted happily. Whenever some people were ________ we asked around. Were they busy? Were they in hospital? Moreover, we signed cards for those who were ill.

I ________ to be in good shape now as I’ve hoped. Still, I’m grateful for things more valuable from the class — close friendships and new social ________.

4 . It was my first year teaching in a special needs classroom. I wasn’t sure what to ______ at our annual Special Olympics. My students had a range of ______, from mild learning disabilities to severe brain diseases.

Mark was one with the latter, limited to a ______ However, he ______ greeted everyone with huge smiles. His classmates loved him and often took their time to ______ his participation in group activities, especially Mike, Andy and Lucas, all ______ at sports. Mark imagined being like them. Watching and cheering for their elegant ______ on the playground seemed to fill him with ______.

The big day came at last and the final ______ was the 400-meter race. Everyone was invited to ______ according to their own ability. Mike, Andy and Lucas ______ to prove who the best athlete was. But when the exhausted three reached the finish line they ______ and turned to look behind them. At the back of the crowd, determined not to be left behind, was Mark, ______ on the track in his wheelchair with half the distance left to ______—all his classmates were outdistancing him. Looking at each other, a ______ thought passing between them. Slowly, they jogged ______ towards their friend, surrounded Mark and kept pace, ______ him on as he had done for them before.

The progress was ______, but eventually they crossed the finish line together to the ______ cries of their teachers and classmates. I came to understand what makes the Special Olympics so ______. Years later, I’m still cheering them on.

6 . Sports and fitness can be regarded as a way to add spice to your life. The first time I realized that I had a _________ for sports competitions was during the Field Day in _________school.

Small for my age as a 9-year-old, and more of a bookworm than a _________ enthusiast, I had suffered that special _________ of being picked last for various gym teams. The Field Day, which focused on individual skills, was different.

In the Softball Throw event, I got my first taste of sporting victory. Credit goes to the _________of my first coach, my father. He_________weights every morning at home. He bought us all baseball gloves and hats, and in the warm months, we spent hours playing catch. With the fall coming, our backyard football games began with _________ practice.

My passion for sports got _________ after I transferred to a private school. When I was in sixth grade and my parents got me to _________ to the private school, our entire student body was assigned to either the Red or the White team. Throughout the year, we competed against each other in various games and exercises for__________. I__________became president of The Committee of Games ,encouraging my competitive __________. However, in girls’ sports at my school, I was no __________. I also played on the field hockey team and the basketball team.

School sports did not bleed into (渗透进) the weekends, __________ they do today, but at home, playing tennis, skating, skiing and biking were simply __________ things we did.

During downtime (休息), magazines were also quite __________ for us teens. These regularly featured articles on physical exercise. Somehow, my college roommates and I __________ the habit of competing Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) exercises every day, a practice that continued into my marriage, __________we had no spare funds to use to join a gym.

So, though it shocks some of our friends, that early foundation developed gradually in __________into a sports and fitness focus, considered essential even on vacation.

I still love __________ and the arts, too.

As far as I’m concerned, life is richest with my feet in both worlds.

I am Li Hua, chairman of the Student Union.

10 . Practice Tai Chi & Feel Better

Free Open House See a demo of tai chi and try a free class, all welcome! Saturday Feb 2 Level 1,566 Lutwyche Rd 1:00 pm-2:30 pm Saturday Jan 19 Mermaid Beach Community Center, 2439 Gold Coast Highway 11:00 am-1:00 pm

New Weekly Beginners’ Classes Buranda Primary School, 24 Cowley St, Woolloongabba STARTS Thu Mar 7 6:30 pm-8:00 pm Holland Park St Joachim’s Hall, 24 Crown St STARTS Tue Mar 5 5:30 pm-7:00 pm You can choose one of them.

Health Recovery Classes Health recovery classes are for people with chronic (慢性的) illnesses, or who are recovering from illnesses, to work on tai chi at their own speed. You can start anytime, and start to feel the benefits. Level 1,566 Lutwyche Rd STARTS anytime Thursday 11:00 am-12:30 pm

Short Courses Are you short of time? In just one afternoon or a weekend you can get a quick introduction to tai chi. SAT APRIL 27 to SUN APRIL 28 2:00 pm-4:00 pm Introduction to tai chi(weekend) Room 502, Building 13, St Peter’s College For more information, visit the Short Courses page on our website.

Bookings are important. Call 3357 5600 or email brisbane@taichi.org.