Study: Higher physical activity linked with lower premature death risk in elderly

Study: Higher physical activity linked with lower premature death risk in elderly

Being physically active is associated with a lower risk for premature death among older adults, according to a study. Researchers from the Federal University of Pelotas in Brazil noted that nine per cent of all premature deaths are caused by not getting enough physical activity. They explained that physical activity is known to reduce deaths from heart disease, diabetes, chronic lung disease, and mental illness. The study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, looked more carefully at the relationship between death and physical exercise among older adults in Brazil.

The team drew on information from the "COMO VAI?" study conducted from January to August 2014. The researchers conducted home interviews with 1,451 adults older than 60. Of these, 971 participants were given wrist monitors to measure their physical activity.

They also asked participants about their smoking habits and how they would rate their health.
The team learned about the chronic health conditions participants said they had, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems, Parkinson's disease, kidney failure, high cholesterol, depression, stroke, and cancer.

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