UK Edition
Walking the dog or pottering in the garden could extend life expectancy
Pottering around the garden or walking the dog is enough to help older men live longer, a new study suggests. The research found that half an hour a day of any level of physical activity is linked to a 17 per cent reduction in the risk of death in older men.
UK health advice suggests 150 minutes moderate to vigorous physical activity, with bouts of at least 10 minutes recommended.
But the new research suggests the total amount of time spent on activity is more important - with gentle movement enough to make a major difference.
The researchers from University College London tracked more than 1,000 men, with an average age of 78, who wore an accelerometer- a portable gadget that continuously tracks the volume and intensity of physical activity - during waking hours for seven days.
During the monitoring period, which averaged around five years, 194 of the men died.
The findings showed total amount of time spent active was associated with a lower risk of death from any cause.
Each additional 30 minutes a day of light intensity activity - such as gentle gardening or taking the dog for a walk - was associated with a 17 per cent reduction in the risk of death.
Those managing half an hour of moderate to vigorous activity every day saw the risk of death fall by 33 per cent, the research found.
But it made little difference whether the total was reached from short bursts of acvity, rather than from at least 10 minutes sustained at a time, as has been recommended in UK advice.
Researchers said the findings could be used to refine activity recommendations for older adults and made them more achievable.
Two thirds of men managed to carry out 150 minutes of activity in total, but only 16 per cent managed to do it in bursts of 10 or more minutes, the study found.
But the researchers say the results could be used to refine current physical activity guidelines and make them more achievable for older adults.
Study author Dr Barbara Jefferis, of University College London, said: "The results suggest that all activities, however modest, are beneficial.
"The finding that low intensity physical activity is associated with lower risk of mortality is especially important among older men, as most of their daily physical activity is of light intensity."
She added: "Furthermore, the pattern of accumulation of physical activity did not appear to alter the associations with mortality, suggesting that it would be beneficial to encourage older men to be active irrespective of bouts."