A recent large study conducted in Australia has shown that staying active or becoming active in middle age can have a significant impact on the quality of life in old age, particularly for women.
It’s never too late to start incorporating exercise into your routine, even if you are currently sedentary in middle age. According to Binh Nguyen from the University of Sydney, making lifestyle changes such as engaging in physical activity can potentially reverse the effects of aging and improve health outcomes.
The study highlighted the challenges women face in staying active as they age due to life transitions such as marriage, childbirth, retirement, and bereavement. The researchers emphasized the importance of consistent physical activity over time rather than just at one point in time.
Study Methods and Results
The study analyzed data collected from 11,336 participants in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health at three-year intervals between 1998 and 2019. The participants were divided into groups based on their adherence to physical activity guidelines throughout the 15-year period.
Both groups, those consistently meeting the guidelines and those starting to meet them at later ages, showed higher scores on a physical quality of life scale at around age 70 compared to those who never met the guidelines.
While the effects on physical health were significant, the study found weaker effects on mental health-related quality of life. Nguyen suggested that further research may be needed to fully understand these differences.
Implications for Health
The study’s findings underscore the importance of staying active or increasing physical activity in middle age to improve overall health outcomes. Nguyen hopes that the results will encourage middle-aged women to prioritize exercise for better health in later years.
While the study focused on women, previous research suggests that men may also benefit from being active in mid-life. The key takeaway is that consistent physical activity, even if started later in life, can have lasting health benefits.
