It has been well publicized in recent years that a sedentary lifestyle can increase the likelihood of negative medical conditions such as diabetes, heart attack, certain cancers, stroke, cognitive decline, and osteoporosis. A recent study of physically active older adults, published in The Journal of Physiology, confirms that those who are physically active can decrease their risk for these conditions, but also maintain a physiological profile that is much younger compared to the general population.
Stephen Harridge, PhD, senior author and Director of the Centre of Human & Aerospace Physiological Sciences at King’s College London says:
“…most of the population is largely sedentary; the tendency is to assume that inactivity is the inevitable condition for humans. However, given that our genetic inheritance stems from a period when high levels of physical activity were the likely norm, being physically active should be considered to play an essential role in maintaining health and well-being throughout life.”
So how does one stay active and young? Make physical activity a part of your daily life. Doing so not only decreases your risk for developing chronic medical conditions, it also keeps you feeling young and healthy—well into your later years.