AHA Journals, Author Interviews, Exercise - Fitness, Geriatrics, Heart Disease / 08.05.2014
Maintaining Physical Activity Important For Healthy Aging
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Luisa Soares-Miranda, PhD
Research Center in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure
Faculty of Sport, University of Porto
Rua Dr. Plácido Costa,
Porto PORTUGAL
MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Soares-Miranda: Modest physical activity, such as the distance and pace of walking, is important for the heart’s electrical well being of older adults. In our study, older adults that increased their walking pace or distance had a better heart rate variability when compared with those that decreased their walking pace or distance. Our results suggest not only that regular physical activity later in life is beneficial, but also that certain beneficial changes that occur may be reduced when physical activity is reduced. This supports the need to maintain modest physical activity throughout the aging process. Even small increases can lead to a better health, while reducing physical activity has the opposite effect. So, any physical activity is better than none, and more is better. (more…)