The answer is probably MORE!
Even though adults 50-plus know that exercise is beneficial to many aspects of good health, many aren’t nearly physically active enough, falling short of the 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends.
Moreover, many people are not even aware of that straightforward recommendation
Among the 1948 people surveyed by Mehegan and Lampkin, 95% said regular exercise would improve their general health, 94% their physical fitness, and 90% their overall appearance. In addition, 93% said it would help them live longer and healthier lives.
However, only one-third were aware of the recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise, and even fewer awere achieving that threshold.
Those who exercised 150 minutes a week ….
Typically, they spread their exercise across five and seven days.
They were more physically fit, and had higher than average mental well-being scores.
Here are the 150-minute scores compared with people exercising less than 30 minutes a week.
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Brain health/mental sharpness 90% vs. 80%
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Emotional/spiritual well-being 92% vs. 81%
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Mental health 91% vs. 78%
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Overall health 88% vs. 69%
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Physical health 86% vs. 56%
Moreover, regular exercise seems to translate to both multiple spin-off benefits and other healthy-lifestyle choices.
Among those who exercise 150 minutes, 61% find they better manage stress, 50% socialize more, 46% are well-rested, and 54% eat more nutritious meals.
And with exercise comes satisfaction.
Adults who log the most exercise are significantly more satisfied with their emotional/spiritual well-being (94%), mental health (92%), overall health (91%), ability to handle stress (90%), physical appearance (81%), current eating habits (80%), and amount of sleep they get per night (75%).
By Laura Mehegan, AARP Research & Cheryl L. Lampkin, AARP Research
Methodology: AARP conducted the online and telephone survey (in English and Spanish) of 1,948 U.S. adults 50 and older from May 22 to June 6, 2023 using NORC’s Foresight 50+ Panel. Survey data were weighted by gender, race, age, Hispanic ethnicity, marital status, Census division, and income to benchmarks from the Current Population Survey. https://doi.org/10.26419/res.00700.001
Published July 27, 2023
All of this I heartily endorse. It’s harder to achieve 150 minutes of exercise a week at 93, but I try, and certainly score highly on the plus side of health and happiness. Congratulations on what you continue to do. I sense that your disciples are growing in number? Your emails and their contents are very easy to read and understand. Keep it up. You are doing a great job..
We agree wholeheartedly with the comments.. We have more time (in our eighties) to accomplish an exercise regime. Thank you for your comments & support.
That article is so interesting and affirming. I cycle nearly every day, 20 Km in fact. During the week days generally I go by myself and it is fairly brisk, It used to take grit I have to say, but for a long time now I look forward to the ride for other things, like the time to myself, the beauty of the surroundings, the coastal waters and passing other riders on the way and of course, the great sense of accomplishment is always fantastic. But I do look forward to a Saturday…
On a Saturday I go with a group of friends where we meander to the breakwaters. A stop-off at a cafe, a cuppa and scone (with butter and raspberry jam) some great chatter then a lovely ride back to home.
This year I got an E-bike( only because we have a steep hill up to our home). I felt that I was cheating but really I am not! And I only turn on turbo when challenging that hill!
I walk too including the hill but not as often.
And here’s the thing. Walking always seems to get the accolades . It’s just like eating humble silver beet versus “cool” spinach. It’s just like they are second cousins. You know what I mean!
If one is able – I do believe in “Move it or Lose it”
I endorse the comments of the previous participants and understand the importance of both the physical and mental exercises
Well done for making exercise a priority – it is such an important basis for health at any age.
Well done. I can just picture you cycling along the coastline! Either alone or with your friends. It sounds as if walking comes second when you are able to get out for exercise this way!