Light activity, shopping may help aging women’s mobility: research

Low intensity training is recommended for people of all ages to maintain agility and fitness, Survey results New research suggests that light-intensity physical activity, such as shopping and casual walks, may protect the mobility of older women.

The study, published in the online version of the JAMA Network Open, was led by a team of scientists from the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Life Sciences at the University of California, San Diego. One in four women over the age of 65 cannot walk two blocks or climb stairs. Known as movement disorders, it is a major type of incompetence in the United States and a major cause of loss of human independence.

Researchers found that women who had no movement disorders at the start of the study and spent the most time on light intensity activities were 40% less likely to experience movement disorders in 6 years. “Elderly people who want to stay mobile need to know that not only moderate to intense physical activity, but all movements are important,” said Herbert Wertheim, a prominent professor in the epidemiology department. Responsible senior author Dr. Andrea Lacroix said. Faculty of Public Health.

“We have discovered that among older women, light-intensity physical activity maintains mobility in later years,” LaCroix added. A prospective study observed 5,735 women aged 63 years and older who lived in the United States and were enrolled in the Objectively Measured Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Health Study, a supporting study of the Women’s Health Initiative. Participants wore research-grade accelerometers for 7 days to obtain accurate measurements of physical activity. The average time spent on light physical activity was 4.8 hours per day.

Researchers found that women who spent the most time doing light-intensity physical activity had a 46% lower risk of movement disorders than women who participated in lower levels of physical activity. Similar results were observed among white, black and Latin women. Women with and without obesity also reduced their risk of movement disorders, but were most effective among women with a body mass index (BMI) of less than 30.

“Moderate to active physical activity becomes more and more difficult to carry out as people grow older. Given the aging population of the United States, these findings have a significant impact on public health recommendations. Focuses on the importance of potential and light physical activity. Improves the health and well-being of older women. Doing so helps women maintain mobility and independence as they age. It’s possible, “said Dr. John Berettiere, co-author and professor of epidemiology at the Herbert Weltheim School of Public Health.

Adults over the age of 65 in the United States struggle to meet physical activity guidelines that recommend moderate to intense physical activity for 150 minutes per week.

There is no available guidance on how light activities people should do, mainly because few studies have investigated it. The authors of the study said their data suggest that light activity is probably important for maintaining mobility, which is essential for healthy aging. Elderly people with movement disorders experience more hospitalizations and spend more on medical expenses. Women have a disproportionate burden of movement disorders.

“No need for the highest levels of light intensity physical activity. No further increase in profits was observed after 5 hours of activity,” said a PhD candidate at the University of San Diego / University of California, San Diego. One lead author, Nicole Glass, MPH, said. Doctoral course in public health.

“In addition, our results are related to the mobility in which light intensity physical activity is maintained, regardless of the amount of high intensity physical activity the woman is engaged in, such as active walking, jogging, and running. Higher light intensity physical activity is healthy, “Glass added.

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