Senior Runners Outpace Disabilities

Source: Tufts University
January 17, 2003 (Reviewed: January 21, 2005)

For many older people exercise is a walk around the block. But for some, it is a run around the block - several times. How does a high level of activity, like running regularly, benefit seniors? Stanford University researchers followed older members of a running club to find out. Their findings appear in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

A measure of effort

Members of the 50+ Runners Association, a running club with members across the United States, were invited to participate. Non-runners were recruited to serve as the comparison group. All volunteers supplied information about their medical history, exercise habits (running and other aerobic activity), and muscle and bone injuries.

In addition, they completed the comprehensive Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), which measures functional ability on a scale of zero to three (0 meaning no difficulty and 3 being unable to perform) in eight areas of activity, such as dressing and grooming, hygiene, and eating. The participants repeated the HAQ annually. Thirteen years later, 370 runners were compared to 249 non-runners.

Running keeps seniors moving

Runners - including those who did not currently run, but did at one time - had fewer disabilities than those who never ran. Exercise other than running, such as bicycling, swimming, and brisk walking also lowered disability levels, but only consistently in those who logged at least 160 minutes each week (or about 25 minutes a day). In During the study period, the active participants had lower death rates than their sedentary counterparts.

Make exercise a habit

Regular exercise has a beneficial effect on muscle mass and on the heart and lungs. Research has shown that these physical improvements make it more likely that seniors remain independent and able to perform daily tasks for themselves. If you aren't a current exerciser, it's not too late to begin. Start with a walk around the block, and see where it leads you.

Source

• Postponed development of disability in elderly runners. A 13-year longitudinal study. BWE. Wang, DR. Ramey, JD. Schettler,  et al., Arch Int Med, 2002, vol. 162, pp. 2285--2294

Related Links
Retirement Means More Time For Exercise
Good Physical Fitness May Mean a Longer Life
It's Never Too Late to Get Moving
Another Look at Exercise and Heart Health
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