Dr KK Aggarwal
The
advent of TV and then computer, mobile phones and internet has cut down on
physical activity, more so over the last few years, with deleterious effects on
health. Working long hours on the computer, using social media on smartphones,
watching TV are all activities that promote sedentary behavior. Compared to
their younger counterparts, the elderly are more prone to develop a sedentary
lifestyle because of multitude of reasons such as health conditions, social
situation, anxiety about falls, joint stiffness and pain, alterations in gait
and in balance, etc.
A
recently published study in the Journals
of Gerontology: Medical Sciences has identified sitting and watching TV for
long periods as a strong risk factor for disability in older age.
Researchers
analysed data from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)—American
Association of Retired Persons (NIH-AARP) Diet and Health Study. All study
participants aged 50 to 71 years were healthy at the start of the study. All
types of sedentary behavior and physical activity (light, moderate and
vigorous) were recorded at baseline. The participants were followed for about
10 years.
Almost
30% of the previously healthy participants reported a mobility disability i.e.
having difficulty walking or being unable to walk at all when the study
concluded. The researchers also observed that:
Among
the participants, those who reported watch TV for 5 or more hours every day had
a 65% greater risk of reporting a mobility disability at the end of the study
vs those who watched TV for less than 2 hours per day. Increase in total
sitting time and TV time along with 3 hours or less of physical activity per
week accelerated this risk. This association was independent of level of total
physical activity, as well as other risk factors known to affect risk of
mobility disability such as gender, education, smoking, current health status.
While, no association of excess mobility disability was reported with total
sitting of 6 hours per day or less in participants who reported being
physically active for more than 7 hours per week.
Being
physically active is beneficial at all ages. Adopting an active lifestyle should
no doubt start at a young age, ideally during school age, but it is also
important to be physically active as one ages. People who are physically active
should continue to exercise even when they become middle aged or elderly and
those who are not should increase their physical activity.
Regular
physical activity increases muscle strength and improves balance and
coordination thereby reducing the chances of falling. It also reduces risk of
type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, hypertension, certain types of
cancers, osteoporosis, obesity and depression. In addition, physical activity
keeps thinking, learning and judgment skills sharp and prevents cognitive
decline with age.
Aging
is not a choice given to us. It is a natural process and an integral fact of
life. But we do have a choice in how we choose to age. Staying healthy and
maintaining an overall wellbeing is important, be it any age.
(Source:
The Journals of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, August 30, 2017)
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