Physical activity can reduce the risk of chronic disease, improve function, and extend life spans, supporting the’ use of exercise prescriptions as a health intervention, new research suggests. The review of the effects of physical activity for older adults documented specific benefits, such as preventing or reducing the risk of more than 30 chronic conditions, including coronary artery disease, heart failure, type 2 diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, osteoporosis, depression, dementia, and cancer.

Other benefits documented in the literature include:

• Protection against risk of death from any cause.
• Falls prevention through increased muscle strength and better balance.
• Bone and joint health, including improved bone density and alleviation of some osteoarthritis symptoms.
• Improved cognitive function, and better mood and mental health.
• Ability to engage in daily activities and improved quality of life.

Although the authors are targeting clinicians, anyone working with or caring for older adults can use the World Health Organization’s  5-step framework — called the “5As” —to promote activity in their constituents.

“Physical activity is underused as a health intervention both in the community and in the delivery of health care for older adults. Age, frailty, or existing functional impairments should not be viewed as absolute contraindications to physical activity but rather key reasons to prescribe it, considering the benefits of physical activity interventions for older adults. Older adults who become more physically active can potentially add years to their lives as well as higher quality of life to those years,” the authors conclude.

To download the full study, which includes an infographic, click here