For Older Adults, Any Exercise Is Better than None
Published at
Ingram Publishing/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) — Researchers say that when it comes to exercise, any amount is better than none, even if you can’t meet the World Health Organization’s target of 150 minutes per week.
While that WHO figure may be doable for younger adults, researchers were concerned that some older adults may not find 150 minutes per week feasible. The study, published in the British Medical Journal, looked at 250,000 American adults between the ages of 50 and 71, and found that even one hour of moderate physical activity per week could reduce risk of premature death.
Moderate exercise includes activities like brisk walking, according to the study. One hour per week of such activities could reduce risk of dying by as much as 15 percent.
If the amount of time spent exercising is dropped to 20 minutes, but is made “intensive” instead of “moderate,” risk of premature death fell by 23 percent.
Researchers say health and medical organizations should work to come up with guidelines other than the 150-minutes-per-week goal set by the WHO.
Follow @ABCNewsRadio
Copyright © 2015, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.