Fitness key to healthy ageing - study

Tuesday November 26th, 2013

People who are getting older can gain massive benefits from taking up regular physical activity, according to a new study.

Researchers found that people in their 60s were as much as seven times as likely as inactive contemporaries to enjoy a healthy old age from spending as little as four years getting fit.

Healthy ageing means staving off depression, dementia and chronic illnesses as well as enjoying good mental health and preserving brain power, according to the study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

The findings come from a study of nearly 3,500 people with an average age of 64 over an eight year period.

During the study some 10% of the people took up activity and 70% continued with existing activity in their lives.

After eight years problems linked to ageing were widespread - with 80% suffering from a long-term condition and 20% suffering loss of mental ability.

Researchers said about 20% showed signs of healthy ageing - and this was strongly linked to the amount of exercise undertaken.

Researcher Dr Mark Hamer, of University College London, London, UK, said: “This study supports public health initiatives designed to engage older adults in physical activity, even those who are of advanced age."

The British Heart Foundation, which backed the research, said it was "never too late to get active."

Doireann Maddock, of the foundation, said: “This research shows us that, even if you don’t become active until later in life, your health will still benefit."

Taking up physical activity in later life and healthy ageing: the English longitudinal study of ageing British Journal of Sports Medicine 26 November 2013; doi:10.1136/bjsports-2013-092993 [abstract]

Tags: Elderly Health | Fitness | Mental Health | UK News

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