Exercise is just as important for older people as it is for younger adults. Throughout life, it seems, if you want to survive, you have to keep moving.
The Evidence That You Should Keep Moving:
A new study included more than 120,000 people at least 60 years old and followed them for 10 years, on average. The researchers also had a separate group of over 1,000 French people who were 65 in 2001. This group was tracked for 12 years.
Compared to participants who were sedentary, those who exercised even a little bit, about 15 minutes of brisk walking daily, decreased their risk of early death by 22 percent. Moderate and high levels of exercise were even more helpful, lowering the likelihood of dying during the study by 28 and 35 percent respectively.
The researchers conclude that more physical activity offers more health benefits, but that older people can get great results by starting modestly, with 15 minutes of walking every day. Although older adults may slow down a bit in comparison to their younger selves, they will do better if they keep moving.
The research was presented at the European Society of Cardiology meeting, June 14, 2016, Sophia Antipolis, France
The First 20 Minutes:
The advantages from activity are not just for older individuals. Younger people too get great benefit from breaking sedentary habits and finding a way to keep moving. Gretchen Reynolds, columnist for The New York Times, has written about the research supporting physical activity in her book, The First 20 Minutes: The Myth-busting Science That Shows How We Can Walk Farther, Run Faster and Live Longer.
1/3/19 redirected to: https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/articles/will-long-term-exercise-help-you-avoid-a-fall/
