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Older Senior Citizens Who Dont Exercise Can Face
Problems Even Walking
June 9, 2005 Even for older senior citizen, lack
of exercise increases the risk of future problems with climbing stairs
or even walking, according to research published in the Journal of the
American Geriatrics Society.
The Health, Aging and Body Composition Study
(Health ABC Study) follows 3,075 black and white men and women aged 70
to 79 years old over the course of seven years to investigate changes in
body composition as a pathway by which multiple diseases contribute to
disability. Through annual clinic exams, home exams and telephone
interviews, researchers discovered that mobility loss in older persons
who do not exercise can be reduced by having an active lifestyle.
Recommendations for exercise such as 1.5 to 2 hours of walking per week
can help to decrease mobility loss with aging.
"Together with earlier evidence that physical
activity in old age is beneficial for physical, cognitive and
psychological health, the results show the importance of an active
lifestyle in old age," states lead author of the study, Marjolein Visser,
PhD. "Health care providers should be aware of these beneficial effects
of physical activity and communicate this to their patients." Visser
adds that more attention should be paid to the prevention of health
decline through physical activity by health policy makers.
At the start of the study, none of the participants
reported problems in walking one-quarter of a mile or climbing 10 steps.
After 4.5 years, 34% of the men and 47% of the women developed problems
in performing these activities. Data showed that participants who were
inactive at the start of the study had the greatest risk of developing
mobility problems compared to the exercisers, who had the lowest risk.
"Several studies have shown that becoming active at
an old age still has positive health effects, showing that it is never
too late to start being active," says Visser. "Older persons should be
informed about the beneficial effects of physical activity and should
realize that it is not always necessary to visit a sports club."
About this report:
Marjolein Visser, PhD is an epidemiologist with a
background in Human Nutrition, performing aging research using data from
large cohort studies of older persons in theNetherlands and abroad.
This study is published in the Journal of the
American Geriatrics Society. Media wishing to receive a PDF of this
article please contact
medicalnews@bos.blackwellpublishing.net.
About the Journal of the American Geriatrics
Society
The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
publishes articles that are relevant in the broadest terms to the
clinical care of older persons. Such articles may span a variety of
disciplines and fields and may be of immediate, intermediate, or
long-term potential benefit to clinical practice.
About the American Geriatrics Society
The American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is the
premier professional organization of health care providers dedicated to
improving the health and well-being of all older adults. With an active
membership of over 6,000 health care professionals, the AGS has a long
history of effecting change in the provision of health care for older
adults. In the last decade, the Society has become a pivotal force in
shaping attitudes, policies and practices regarding health care for
older people. Visit
www.americangeriatrics.org for more information.
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