Exercise Can Reduce the Risk of Chronic Disease in the Elderly

SYDNEY: According to a new study, older adults who train above recommended levels may reduce the risk of developing chronic disease compared to those who do not exercise.

The highest levels of total physical activity were twice as likely to avoid strokes, heart disease, angina, cancer and diabetes and to be in optimal physical and mental shape 10 years later

. minutes) each week saw the greatest reduction in the risk of chronic disease, suggested the study published in the journal Nature Scientific Reports.

"Some older adults may not be able to engage in vigorous activity or high levels of physical activity," says lead author Bamini Gopinath, badociate professor at the # 39, University of Sydney.

"But we encourage inactive older people to do physical activity, and those who only do moderate exercise, to incorporate more vigorous activity to the extent possible," he said. added Gopinath

Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 600 minutes of MET activity every week, which equates to 150 minutes of brisk walking or 75 minutes of running, the researchers

"Our results suggest that physical activity levels must be several times higher than what the WHO currently recommends to significantly reduce the risk of chronic disease. For the study, the researchers interviewed over 1500 Australian adults over the age of 50 and followed them over a 10-year period

"Our study showed that high levels of physical activity increase the probability of surviving another 10 years without chronic diseases, mental disorders and disabilities, "noted Gopinath

.