Exercise may be good for your longevity

Yesterday I talked about exercise and how the lack of it may endanger your health. Today I want to focus on the fact that if you exercise, you can extend your life. 

A study conducted by researchers at London's College University found leisure-time activities can be just as beneficial to senior living as more structured forms of working out.

We all know that exercise is an effective means of keeping older adults healthy; it is no secret, but seniors don't necessarily have to dedicate themselves to a gym to stay active and get the workouts they need

The study investigators examined the exercise habits of more than 4,200 adults with an average age of 49, taking note of how often and for how long the participants engaged in physical activities such as riding a bicycle, doing housework or home maintenance, gardening and walking.

At the beginning, middle and end of the 11-year study, the researchers measured levels of two inflammatory markers. Those who were physically active at the beginning had stable levels throughout the study, compared to participants who did not get as much exercise. Those who were not very physically active at the onset of the study but altered their behaviour to include more exercise in their lives saw marked improvements in inflammatory marker levels.

Leisure-time activities represent moderate intensity exercise that is important to health. It is especially important for older people to be physically active because it contributes to successful ageing.

The improvement of the participants provides evidence that confirms the health benefits of getting enough exercise. The researchers found a number of individuals adopted healthier lifestyles over the course of the study as they neared retirement age.

At the beginning of the research project, roughly 49 percent of the participants claimed to get at least 2.5 hours per week of moderate to vigorous exercise. By the end of the study, that number had grown to 83 percent.

The percentage of exercising participants jumped quite a bit because they were entering their retirement during the last phase of the study, which is interesting as it shows that retirement seems to have a beneficial effect on physical activity levels."

The bottom line is it is never too late to begin exercising and improving one's physical well-being, and working out with a partner or a group can help older adults stay on track. For example, they can start a walking group or a garden club with other members of their retirement communities, which will help them stick to their exercise plan while also reaping the benefits of socializing.