Want to feel better, want energy boost or perhaps even live longer? Look no further than exercise! Regular physical activity keeps body’s systems functioning better. Also, it keeps heart disease, diabetes, and a host of other diseases at bay.
In a study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, just 30 minutes of physical activity six days a week among the seniors was found to have boosted physical activity levels significantly.
The study by researchers of Norwegian School of Sports Sciences in Oslo based on the analysis of 15,000 men, found daily exercise to be as good as giving up smoking. The subjects were examined over a 12-year period. It was found that the risk of death from any cause among elderly reduced by 40 percent if they engaged in physical activity every day.
The Results
- Less than an hour a week of light physical activity was not associated with any meaningful reduction in risk of death from any cause.
- More than an hour was linked to a 32 to 56 percent lower risk.
- Less than an hour of vigorous physical activity reduced risk between 23 per cent and 37 per cent for cardiovascular disease and death from any cause.
- The more time spent doing vigorous exercise reduces risk for diseases and death by 36 to 49 per cent.
According to the study authors, those who regularly engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity during their leisure time lived five years longer (on average) than those who had a sedentary lifestyle. They concluded that more efforts go into encouraging elderly men to become more physically active.
The study results suggest that it could be used as one of the health strategies targeted for the elderly. And, doctors should take efforts to inform patients about health problems that can be prevented by exercise.
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