Exercise cuts chronic disease risk in older adults

Older adults who exercise above current recommended levels have a reduced risk of stroke, diabetes, and cancer, compared with those who do not, according to a study led by an Indian origin researcher.

Researchers from the University of Sydney in Australia interviewed over 1,500 Australian adults aged over 50 and followed them over a 10-year period.

People who engaged in the highest levels of total physical activity were twice as lively to avoid stroke, heart disease, angina, cancer and diabetes, and be in optimal physical and mental shape 10 years later, researchers said.

Adults who did more than 5,000 metabolic equivalent minutes (MET minutes) each week saw the greatest reduction in the risk of chronic disease, they said.

"Essentially we found that older adults who did the most exercise were twice as likely to be disease-free and fully functional," said Bamini Gopinath, an associate professor at University of Sydney.

"Our study showed that high levels of physical activity increase the likelihood of surviving an extra 10 years free from chronic diseases, mental impairment and disability," said Gopinath.

Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 600 MET minutes of physical activity each week. That is equivalent to 150 minutes of brisk walking or 75 minutes of running.

"With ageing demographics in most countries, a major challenge is how to increase the quality and years of healthy life," Gopinath said.

"Our findings suggest that physical activity levels need to be several times higher than what the World Health Organization currently recommends to significantly reduce the risk of chronic disease," she said.

"Some older adults may not be able to engage in vigorous activity or high levels of physical activity," she added.

"But we encourage older adults who are inactive to do some physical activity, and those who currently only engage in moderate exercise to incorporate more vigorous activity where possible," she said.