

Notably, fewer than 8% of the older adults achieved the recommended levels of moderate-vigorous intensity physical activity. Moreover, about one-third of all individuals who walked regularly also engaged in moderate or vigorous physical activity. The researchers found that about 42% of individuals ages 85 years and older regularly walked, whereas around 26% engaged in either moderate or vigorous physical activity.

The researchers used a questionnaire to assess the amount of time spent per week by the participants engaging in slow walking, moderate-intensity, or vigorous-intensity physical activity. The study included data from 7,047 individuals ages 85 years or older residing in South Korea.

The authors of the present study examined whether walking could reduce the risk of all-cause mortality and mortality due to cardiovascular disease in individuals ages 85 years and older. How walking benefits health and longevity Moreover, sedentary behavior also increases with aging. However, chronic illness and age-related decline in muscle strength can, in turn, limit the ability of older adults to engage in physical activity. Moreover, physical activity can help preserve flexibility and balance in older individuals and enable them to function independently.Ĭonsistent with these effects, a recent observational study including older adults shows that physical activity levels are negatively correlated with the risk of all-cause mortality. Physical activity can reduce the risk of chronic illness, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, and can slow down the impact of aging on physical and cognitive decline. This increase in the aging population reflects an increase in life expectancy but raises concerns about healthy aging. The number of individuals ages 65 years and older across the globe was around 1 billion in 2019, which is expected to more than double by 2050. The research will be presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2022 in late August.Īging is associated with an increased risk of chronic health conditions and a decline in physical and cognitive abilities.

The take-home message is to keep walking throughout life.” Our study indicates that walking even just one hour every week is advantageous to those 85 years and older compared to being completely inactive. “Identifying the minimum amount of exercise that can benefit the oldest old is an important goal since recommended activity levels can be difficult to achieve. Moo-Nyun Jin of Inje University, South Korea, said in a press release: Physical activity can promote healthy aging, but chronic conditions and age-related decline in exercise capacity often prevent older adults from engaging in moderate or vigorous physical activity as recommended by health guidelines.Ī new study shows that individuals ages 85 and older who walked for at least 1 hour a week had a lower risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease than their peers who did not engage in physical activity.
