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Reduced disability and mortality among aging runners: a 21-year longitudinal study
Eliza F Chakravarty1, Helen B Hubert, Vijaya B Lingala
1Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA. echakravarty@stanford.edu
Archives of Internal Medicine
|August 13, 2008
Summary
Regular vigorous exercise like running in middle and older age significantly reduces disability and increases longevity. This long-term study highlights the profound health benefits of consistent physical activity for seniors.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Exercise Physiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Exercise is recognized for its positive impact on health and well-being across all age groups.
- Longitudinal studies are crucial for validating the long-term effects of exercise on disability and survival in older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the long-term effects of vigorous exercise, specifically running, on disability and mortality in individuals aged 50 and older.
- To compare disability and survival rates between a cohort of long-term runners and a control group of healthy older adults.
Main Methods:
- A 21-year prospective study (1984-2005) involving 538 older runners and 423 older healthy controls.
- Data collection included annual questionnaires on exercise frequency, body mass index, and disability using the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI).
- Mortality data were ascertained via the National Death Index, with statistical analyses using multivariate regression.
Main Results:
- Runners exhibited lower baseline body mass index and smoking rates compared to controls.
- Throughout the follow-up, runners consistently reported lower disability scores (HAQ-DI) than controls, with a significantly lower risk of high disability.
- After 19 years, 15% of runners had died compared to 34% of controls, indicating a significant survival benefit for runners.
Conclusions:
- Vigorous exercise, such as running, undertaken in middle and older age is associated with substantial reductions in later-life disability.
- Engaging in regular running provides a significant survival advantage for older adults.
- The divergence in disability and survival curves between runners and controls persisted into advanced age, underscoring the lasting benefits of exercise.
