Home > All articles  Your advertisement here   Middle-aged men who are active live longer Many studies point to the benefits of physical activity, just as many note that too few older adults are physically active. The authors of a new study examined the relationship between physical activity performed at older ages and mortality. The goal was to supplement other studies that showed the effect of physical activity performed at younger ages or that were conducted for a shorter time period. SURVEY: A large group of men (2,205) participating in the Uppsala [Sweden] Longitudinal Study of Adult Men answered questions about their leisure time physical activity at age 50, 60, 70, 77 and 82. Questions asked about sedentary activity, such as watching television, walking or cycling, recreational sports, “heavy” gardening and “hard” physical activity or sports. FINDINGS: At age 50, nearly half reported high levels of activity, 36% reported medium levels and 15% sedentary levels. After approximately 35 years, 60% of the men had died. Men who engaged in the highest levels of physical activity had the lowest rates of mortality; those who were sedentary had the highest levels of mortality. COMMENT: After noting the difficulties in measuring physical activity, the authors concluded that “increased physical activity in middle age increases longevity after an induction period of up to 10 years of no benefit. An increase in physical activity has the same impact on lowering mortality rate in the long term as smoking cessation. Thus, efforts for promotion of physical activity, even among middle aged and older men, are important.” SOURCE: BMJ, online 338:b688 (March 5, 2009) Source : http://www.icaa.cc     By ICAA Date 13-03-2009 Print this news| Send to a friend Your advertisement here