It can sometimes seem impossible to juggle children, career and social life while also trying to stay fit and healthy.
But staying active at age 50 isn’t too late to improve your quality of life, experts say.
Scientists have discovered that it is possible to “compensate” for lack of activity earlier in life by exercising more as we age.
The researchers collected data from more than 11,000 women at three-year intervals starting in 1996. All were between 47 and 52 years old when the study began.
Scientists have discovered that it is possible to “compensate” for lack of activity earlier in life by exercising more as we age. On average, people who consistently met physical activity guidelines and those who started meeting them at age 55 had a physical health score three points higher compared to those who never met them.
Participants were classified as meeting the World Health Organization’s physical activity guidelines (150 minutes of activity per week) consistently for 15 years, not initially meeting the guidelines but beginning to meet them at age 55, 60. or 65 years old, or that they never met them.
The researchers also assessed their health-related quality of life, scoring their physical health out of 100.
On average, people who consistently met physical activity guidelines and those who started meeting them at age 55 had a physical health score three points higher compared to those who never met them.
Having a higher score means that a person is more likely to report that they are in good health, are not limited in vigorous or moderate activities, can carry groceries or climb stairs without problems, and that their health does not interfere with social activities. .
Researchers from the University of Sydney said: “Combined with existing evidence, this study contributes to the growing evidence of the benefits of maintaining or adopting an active lifestyle in midlife.”
‘An important public health message is that staying active for as many years as possible, even if women start meeting physical activity guidelines in their mid-50s, could have important benefits for physical health, especially in functioning. physical.
‘Our study shows that it is important for women to be active during middle age to reap the greatest physical health benefits in old age.
“Ideally, women would increase their activity levels to meet the guidelines at age 55.”
Dr. Binh Nguyen, one of the study’s authors, said it is important for middle-aged women to realize that it is not too late to reap the health benefits of exercise.
“I hope the study results inspire middle-aged women to stay active or increase their activity,” she said.
“Our findings suggest that to maintain a good quality of life related to physical health around age 70, one can ‘compensate’ for lack of activity earlier by becoming active in the mid-50s.
‘It may be possible to ‘turn back the clock’ in midlife through lifestyle changes, such as physical activity.
‘Being active for as many years as possible, even if you start exercising regularly in your mid-50s, could have important physical health benefits, so it’s not too late!’
The findings were published in the journal Plos Medicine.