Light-intensity Exercise Provides Significant Health Benefits for Older Adults

Light exercise is more appealing to people over 65, and such activities do not generally require the approval of a physician, Cardinal said.

Older adults, in particular, may be more reluctant to participate in moderate to vigorous exercise because of health concerns, including fear of injury. Researchers found that older adults who participated in light intensity exercise activities for 300 minutes or more were 18 percent healthier, overall, than peers who did not log that much light activity.

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They had lower body mass index (BMI), smaller waist circumference, better insulin rates and were less likely to have chronic diseases, Cardinal said.

These findings highlight that, in addition to promoting moderate-intensity physical activity to older adults, we should not neglect the importance of engaging in lower-intensity, movement-based behaviors when the opportunity arises, said lead author Paul Loprinzi.

The study appears in American Journal of Health Promotion.

Source: ANI