Women would benefit from being prescribed exercise as medicine according to a Queensland University of Technology study that revealed moderate to high intensity activity is essential to reducing the risk of death in older women.
The study’s co-author, Professor Debra Anderson, said that in addition to conventional treatments for physical and mental health, health professionals should be prescribing tailored exercise programs for older women.
The study pulls together five years of research into the impact of exercise on mental and physical health of women over the age of 50.
Results showed:
- Moderate to vigorous intensity activity can have mental and physical health benefits, particularly when part of broader positive health changes
- Whilst guidelines state that 30 minutes a day is enough to improve health, research is showing that older women should be doing at least 30 – 45 minutes five times a week
- Exercise should be tailored to ensure that high intensity is included to obtain positive sustained effects of exercise
- High intensity exercise over a sedentary lifestyle significantly reduced the risk of death.
To view the paper:
‘Can physical activity prevent physical and cognitive decline in postmenopausal women? A systematic review of literature.’
Visit www.sciencedirect.com.