An Austrian study (n=3300) recently showed that people who exercise for 150 minutes each week are more independent in later life. The results indicated more independence in basic activities of daily living, such as showering and toileting, as well as greater capacity to perform broader activities at home, such as shopping and housework.
Exercises can include aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, as well as muscle strengthening, such as squats with a chair.
Added benefits include lower chance of high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, poor body mass index, and death! For men specifically, being able to do 40 push-ups in one go reduces heart attack risk by half.
And the World Health Organisation reports up to 3.2 million deaths occur globally due to inadequate activity.
This is important as our entire population ages and the overall wish of our seniors is to stay at home for as long as possible. Are the senior members of your family exercising?
References
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325262.php
- https://www.afr.com/life-and-luxury/health-and-wellness/push-ups-here-s-what-really-can-help-you-live-to-a-ripe-old-age-20191008-p52yj5