“If you’re not fit in your 50′s, your projected life span ‘is eight years shorter than if you’re fit’”, reported Dr. Berry at the recent American Heart Association annual epidemiology and prevention conference (and reported in the Wall Street Journal). His findings were based on 1765 men and women (without a history of heart problems) who had regular examinations at the Cooper Clinic back in 1970s and 1980s. Sure, smoking predicted longevity, too, but not as much as fitness.
When followed up in the 2006, 63% of the men and 74% of the women were still alive – and now in their 80′s. When divided into their mid-life fitness groups, fit men were 1.8 times more likely to be alive and women were 2.2 times as likely. National guidelies recommend 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a week – or 20 minutes of intense physical exercise three times a week. How much are you doing?
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