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Moderate Activity Can Extend Your Lifespan
By
Michael A. Piekarz
Staff Writer
According
to the Federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one in
three men and one in two women over the age of 75 are not physically
active at all.
A 2006 study led by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) says this lack of exercise
makes these seniors three times more likely to die sooner than their counterparts
who do only light day-to-day activities.
Unlike previous studies, which stressed findings that daily moderate to intense
activity (30 minutes of brisk walking is considered moderate activity) is the
key to increased longevity, researchers found that even light activity such as
normal household chores can decrease a senior’s chance of illness or death
as compared to a sedentary lifestyle.
“Any movement is better than no movement at all to lower your risk of death,” said
Todd M. Manini, a research scientist at NIA. “A lot of older adults are
intimidated by organized exercise. Our study suggests that it’s the accumulation
of activity throughout the day that matters.”
The study, which was the first of its type to rely on observations by researchers
rather than survey answers provided by participants, determined that the key
was the cumulative effect of exercise based on calories burned rather than other
factors.
For every 287 calories per day a senior expended, there was a 32 percent reduction
in death rate over the six-year period encompassed by the study. Earlier research
gave estimates that the average senior, weighing in at about 165 pounds, would
burn 287 calories in about 75 minutes of household chores, child care or volunteer
work involving any activity other than sitting.
While the study did not discount previous reports regarding organized exercise,
it did find that the simple activities of daily life, including washing dishes,
walking to the car and even fidgeting, may help people live longer lives.
“It is well-established that exercise leads to the reduction of heart disease,
cancer and diabetes, and it can preserve mental sharpness. What is significant
about the current findings is that the study is the first to provide credible
evidence that everyday activity might be beneficial,” said William L. Haskell,
a professor at the Stanford University School of Medicine, who wrote a commentary
that accompanied the study.
Despite the results, Haskell does not believe that seniors should stop regular
exercise programs. “Researchers ask how much activity do we need, but the
public approaches it by asking how little can I get away with,” he explained. “It
looks really attractive, but we need to nail this down.”
Haskell and other experts caution against using the study as a basis to give
up exercise, a conclusion not supported by the data.
While praising the study as a milestone in research because of the methods used,
Haskell is quick to point out several items requiring additional information.
For example, he said that to a completely sedentary senior, a small amount of
activity may have a great benefit but that an already-active senior may not want
to give up an active lifestyle.
To address issues unresolved by the initial report, the researchers plan to repeat
the study using a device that measures intensity of movement and other factors
not taken into account in the original study.
Regardless of additional findings, it is important to stress that activity of
any kind can be beneficial provided it is within the physical limitations of
the person performing the activity.
This page and its contents ©2009
Metropolitan News Company, Inc.
