Prescription for healthy middle-age is movement, study suggests

UF Health Podcasts

Ladies, please take note. Whether it’s hitting the gym, going for a walk, playing tennis, or simply climbing the stairs at your job for an office workout, new data supports why you might want to embrace an active lifestyle.

A new study from the University of Sydney in Australia emphasizes the positive impact of consistent physical activity on women’s health-related quality of life throughout middle age.

Researchers examined the long-term effects of exercise on women’s well-being. Unlike previous studies, which often relied on short-term trials, this study tracked more than 11,000 participants over fifteen years.

Women consistently adhering to the World Health Organization-recommended guidelines of 150 minutes of exercise a week enjoyed more robust markers of good health compared with their less active counterparts. Even those who began meeting the guidelines later in life, around age 55, experienced improvements in health.

Notably, these benefits persisted even after accounting for different socioeconomic factors and pre-existing health conditions. From enhanced physical functioning to improved overall well-being, the advantages of staying active were encouraging across the board.

Although the study didn’t find a significant association between physical activity and improved mental health, the message remains clear: Prioritizing physical activity throughout life yields tangible benefits for women’s health.

Diets and medication can take you only so far. Exercise is always the best ingredient for good health, longevity and the happiness it brings.

It’s never too late to reap the rewards of an active lifestyle — and, in fact, it might just be what the doctor ordered.