Older persons who are capable of physical activity but do not exercise have an increased risk of future problems walking or climbing stairs, according to research published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
The Health, Aging and Body Composition Study (Health ABC Study)
follows 3,075 black and white men and women aged 70 to 79 years old
over the course of seven years to investigate changes in body
composition as a pathway by which multiple diseases contribute to
disability. Through annual clinic exams, home exams and telephone
interviews, researchers discovered that mobility loss in older
persons who do not exercise can be reduced by having an active
lifestyle. Recommendations for exercise such as 1.5 to 2 hours of
walking per week can help to decrease mobility loss with aging.
"Together with earlier evidence that physical activity in old age is
beneficial for physical, cognitive and psychological health, the
results show the importance of an active lifestyle in old age,"
states lead author of the study, Marjolein Visser, PhD. "Health care
providers should be aware of these beneficial effects of physical
activity and communicate this to their patients." Visser adds that
more attention should be paid to the prevention of health decline
through physical activity by health policy makers.
At the start of the study, none of the participants reported
problems in walking one-quarter of a mile or climbing 10 steps.
After 4.5 years, 34% of the men and 47% of the women developed
problems in performing these activities. Data showed that
participants who were inactive at the start of the study had the
greatest risk of developing mobility problems compared to the
exercisers, who had the lowest risk.
"Several studies have shown that becoming active at an old age still
has positive health effects, showing that it is never too late to
start being active," says Visser. "Older persons should be informed
about the beneficial effects of physical activity and should realize
that it is not always necessary to visit a sports club."
Marjolein Visser, PhD is an epidemiologist with a background in
Human Nutrition, performing aging research using data from large
cohort studies of older persons in theNetherlands and abroad. She
can be reached for questions and interviews by email at
marjolein.visser@falw.vu.nl.
This study is published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics
Society. Media wishing to receive a PDF of this article please
contact medicalnews@bos.blackwellpublishing.net.
About the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society publishes articles
that are relevant in the broadest terms to the clinical care of
older persons. Such articles may span a variety of disciplines and
fields and may be of immediate, intermediate, or long-term potential
benefit to clinical practice.
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