Inactivity Causing Problems for Older Adults

A study in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports found an association between cardiovascular mortality, various cancers, and dementia and inactivity among older adults, reports HCPLive . The researchers analyzed databases for systematic reviews and meta-analyses of longitudinal observational studies on the relationship between physical activity and any physical or mental health outcomes for adults older than 60. They uncovered 24 studies indicating a lower risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, breast and prostate cancer, fractures, recurrent falls, activities of daily living disability and functional limitation and cognitive decline, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and depression among physically active older adults. Those individuals also tend to have healthier aging pathways, improved quality of life, and better cognitive functioning when they are physically active. "This research highlights the benefits of physical activity to our physical and mental health in older age," said Conor Cunningham at Ireland's Institute of Public Health.