Increased Activity Lowers Death Risk In Seniors
A research study published in
the July 12, 2006 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA),
shows that daily activity can have a positive impact on life expectancy in
older adults. It was previously known that exercise had a positive
effect on life expectancy. This study also shows that those who are
active in their daily routine, even non-exercise activities, are also
getting positive benefits.
This study, conducted by
Todd M. Manini, Ph.D., and his colleagues of the National Institute on
Aging, in Bethesda, Md., was designed to determine the association of what
the researchers called "free-living activity energy expenditure" and death
rates. The study looked at a group of 302 high-functioning,
community-dwelling seniors ranging in age from 70 to 82.
In
this study the researchers measured energy expenditure over a two week
period using sophisticated processes of tracking certain isotopes of
hydrogen and oxygen as eliminated from the body as carbon
dioxide. This process then determined the amount of energy expenditure
and therefore the activity of the individual. The 302 participants
were followed on average for just over 6 years. Over this period of time 55
participants (18.2 percent) died. The researchers then compared the activity
levels of all participants to see if there was a correlation between death
rates and activity levels.
The results showed that after
adjusting for other factors, higher levels of activity energy expenditure
and physical activity were indeed associated with a lower risk of death.
When the researchers categorized activity levels of the participants into
three groups they found that risk of death was only 12.1 percent in the
group with the highest level of activity energy expenditure. The group
in the middle third, relative to activity level, had a 17.6 percent risk of
death. However, the group in the bottom third level of activity had a
24.7 percent risk of death. Statistically, this meant that those with
the highest level of activity had a 69 percent better chance of survival
than those with the lowest activity.
The authors of this study
commented, "Our study suggests that any activity energy expenditure in older
adults can help lower mortality risks.“ They continued, "Efforts to
increase or maintain free-living activity energy expenditure will likely
improve the health of older adults." In the study they concluded,
"Objectively measured free-living activity energy expenditure was strongly
associated with lower risk of mortality in healthy older adults. Simply
expending energy through any activity may influence survival in older
adults." |