Moderate to vigorous physical activity lowers the risk of premature death by 70% in women

Smoking is dangerous and causes a lot of deaths, but did you know that a lack of exercise or physical activity is just as dangerous for older women? Recent studies in Boston recommend at least 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity physical activity or 75 minutes a week of high-intensity aerobic activity, as well as muscle-strengthening exercises two or more days a week to help lower the risk of premature death.

A study published in the publication Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s Circulation measured the physical activity of women over a period of seven days using a wearable device called a triaxial accelerometer. Results showed that increased physical activity at a higher intensity could decrease the risk of death in older women from any cause.

“Using device-measured physical activity in the present study, we observed a 60-70 percent risk reduction larger than previously estimated from self-report studies. For context, non-smokers have about a 50 percent reduction, compared with smokers,” said I-Min Lee, associate epidemiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and one of the authors of the study.

Lee explained that the findings of their study are consistent with the guidelines issued by both the federal government and the American Heart Association, which promote moderate-intensity physical activity as an important component of a healthy lifestyle. The study also contributes to the present bulk of evidence that could be used in the creation of better, more relevant guidelines in the future.

Recommended moderate to vigorous intensity exercises

Examples of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity that can be safely done by older women include brisk walking, light jogging, indoor cycling, and elliptical exercises, among others. Dance exercises, examples of which are Zumba