Guest guest Posted May 20, 2003 Report Share Posted May 20, 2003 Exercise appears to give older women lasting benefits. € THE QUESTION Does physical activity improve the health of older women? € PAST STUDIES have shown that increasing physical activity over time lowers the risk of heart disease and death in middle-aged populations and in men. € THIS STUDY involved 7,553 predominantly white women aged 65 and older. Those who increased their activity level during the first six years of the study by the equivalent of walking a mile each day had lower risks of death, heart disease and cancer in the following six years than women who were continually sedentary. This lower mortality rate was similar to that of women who were already active when the study began. Conversely, active women who became sedentary had a mortality rate similar to that of women who were sedentary all along. € WHO MAY BE AFFECTED BY THESE FINDINGS? Women aged 65 and older. € CAVEATS The results may not apply to other racial groups. In addition, the findings are not based on a randomized trial. Finally, physical activity was determined through questionnaires. € BOTTOM LINE Inactive older women may wish to consult their physician about starting to exercise. Those who are already active may wish to remain so. € FIND THIS STUDY May 14 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association; abstract online at jama.ama-assn.org/. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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