Activity Keeps You Active

A study at the Peninsula Medical School in Exeter, UK, revealed a direct link between levels of physical activity in middle age and physical ability later in life – regardless of body weight.

Research showed that middle-aged people who maintained a reasonable level of physical activity were less likely to become unable to maintain their sense of balance, walk long distances, climb stairs, stand from a seated position with their arms folded, or sustain their hand grip as they get older. The team also found that, among men and women aged 50 to 69 years and across all weight ranges, the rate of decreased physical ability later in life was twice as high among those who were less physically active.