More and Higher-Intensity Physical Activity Prolongs Life in Older Women
Increased moderate to intense physical activity reduces mortality risk by almost 60% among older women, according to the findings of a recent study.1 However, light intensity physical activity was not associated with a reduced risk for mortality.
For their study, the researchers evaluated data from 17,770 women who were involved in the Women’s Health Study between 2011 and 2015 (mean age, 72 years). Women wore a triaxial accelerometer—a device that can measure up and down, front to back, and side to side movements, which makes it more precise at measuring physical activity.
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A total of 16,741 participants who had worn their device for a minimum of 10 hours a day for 4 days a week were included in the final analysis. The researchers assessed the associations between light, moderate, and vigorous intensity physical activity and mortality.
During the 2.5 years of follow-up, 207 women had died.
Compared with those with the least physical activity, those with the highest levels of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity, including brisk walking, had approximately 60% to 70% lower risk of death.
While light intensity physical activity was not independently associated with a lower risk of death, the researchers noted that this did not mean light activity was not associated with other health benefits.
“We hope to continue this study in the future to examine other health outcomes, and particularly to investigate the details of how much and what kinds of activity are healthful,” the researchers concluded. “What is irrefutable is the fact that physical activity is good for your health.”2
—Melissa Weiss
References:
1) Lee IM, Shiroma EJ, Evenson KR, Kamada M, LaCroix AZ, Buring JE. Accelerometer-measured physical activity and sedentary behavior in relation to all-cause mortality: the Women's Health Study [published online November 6, 2017]. Circulation. http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/early/2017/10/31/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.031300.
2) More physical activity and higher intensity physical activity may significantly reduce risk of death in older women in the short term [press release]. Dallas, TX: American Heart Association, November 6, 2017. https://newsroom.heart.org/news/more-physical-activity-and-higher-intensity-physical-activity-may-significantly-reduce-risk-of-death-in-older-women-in-the-short-term?preview=52c5. Accessed November 6, 2017.