Is exercise futile in old age? Don't be so pessimistic! France's BFMTV cited a report published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open, stating that it's never too late to start exercising, regardless of age. Developing an exercise habit in middle age can also help prolong life and reduce the risk of premature death.
Researchers from the American Institute for Cancer Research, Newcastle University in the UK, and York University in Canada invited 315,000 middle-aged and elderly individuals aged 50 to 71 to participate in a study, documenting their daily physical activity levels.
By observing age differences, exercise frequency, and health status among participants, the researchers concluded that the key to extending lifespan through exercise lies in consistency.If someone starts exercising at age 20 but stops after a few years, the cumulative health benefits from earlier workouts gradually diminish to zero.
Surprisingly, the study also found that even those who begin exercising in middle age experience nearly the same reduction in premature death risk as lifelong exercisers.The Guardian reported that individuals who begin exercising in their forties or fifties and maintain a weekly routine of seven hours can reduce their premature death risk by up to 35%, while also lowering their chances of developing cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Of course, this does not mean people should wait until later in life to start exercising. Experts encourage individuals of all ages to cultivate the habit of physical activity, as "life thrives on movement."