If anyone needs to hear one more reason to get out there and exercise every day, here it is: A new study found that men who were fit in their 40s and kept it up for ten years had a 28% reduced risk of death due to cardiovascular disease (CVD), the leading killer of men, compared to less fit cohorts.
In the study, published in the December 6, 2011 issue of Circulation and summarized in MedPage Today, researchers at the University of South Carolina at Columbia looked at records of 14,345 men enrolled in the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study, a prospective observational study. Participants had at least two medical examinations between 1974 and 2002 and were evaluated for fitness based on measures taken during a treadmill test. The researchers reported that, during more than 11 years of follow-up after their last medical exam, 914 men died from all causes and 330 died from CVD.
The study, which involved men ages 20 to 100, found those who improved their fitness had a 40% lower risk of death from any cause, and a 44% reduced risk of CVD death compared to men who remained unfit, after adjusting for changes in lifestyle (smoking, for instance) and medical conditions (e.g., blood pressure, diabetes). Interestingly, Body Mass Index, BMI, a measure of body fat relative to height, had no impact on those who were fit and remained so. BMI had some impact on those who lost fitness or were unfit to begin with, though it was not statistically significant.
The results suggest that staying fit or improving fitness corresponds to a lower risk of death in men from cardiovascular disease and from all other causes. The researchers conclude, “Preventing age-associated fitness loss is important for longevity regardless of BMI changes.”
It all adds up. We have learned in study after study that physical activity far outpaces an apple a day in keeping the doctor away. The American Heart Association says exercise improves cardiovascular risks, boosts circulation of oxygen to the brain and heart and burns calories. It also improves mood and strengthens the immune system.
Both in terms of improving quality of life and reducing health costs, it makes perfect sense for employers, physicians and communities to encourage daily physical activity at all ages. The hard part is getting people moving, which has never been easy. Doctors need to continue to emphasize the importance of physical activity for their older patients. Friends and family can help by offering to work out together, which provides significant social benefits along with the physical perks. Seniors can help themselves by finding exercise they like and can have fun with. The message is clear: even simple activity is beneficial, and a little bit can make a big difference. Now, let’s get going!
Anita Manning is a former award-winning newspaper reporter and editor. During her more than 28 years with Gannett and USA Today, she covered a wide range of health topics, focusing primarily on infectious diseases, vaccines and diabetes. Her beat areas also included pandemic preparedness, bioterrorism and food safety. Anita also has served as a media consultant, working with clients, including pharmaceutical companies and non-profits. She has been a featured speaker or panelist at meetings sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/124/23/2483.full
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