Keep moving, live longer

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Higher levels of any kind of activity are linked to a lower death rate, according to a new study.
Exercise can prolong life and now, according to researchers at the National Institute of Aging. it seems that any kind of activity is protective. They used lab techniques that show direct measures of energy expenditure through physical activity. The experiment involved 302 older adults living in the community whose activity was measured in this way.

Those in the highest activity group had a 69 per cent lower risk of death during the six years of the study (during which time 18 per cent of participants died). This was compared to the lowest activity group. Having a paid job and climbing stairs were two factors that really stood out when it came to boosting physical activity. The message seems to be - keep active and expect to live longer.

Source
Journal of the American Medical Association 12th July 2006 Volume 296 pages 171-179

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