PRessTV: Swedish researchers suggest that gardening and working around the house can grant people over the age of 60 to have a longer life.
The study which was carried out at the Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm showed that some form of activity like pottering around the garden benefit the old people.
Study of 4232 people, during 12 years, indicated that being active reduced the risk of heart or stroke by 27% and death from any cause by 30%, according to the findings published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.
The study report demonstrated that people who were more active on a daily basis had the lowest risk of a heart attack, but those who were merely active without exercising still had a lower risk than those doing nothing.
While elderly people find it harder to exercise vigorously, regular gentle activities such as home repairs and gardening are enough to reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke, experts say.
"The message I take from this study is simple. If you want to reduce your risk of heart disease, be more active. Don't sit down for long periods; get up on your feet and do something you enjoy that involves moving around," commented by the honorary consultant cardiologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, Dr Tim Chico.
Being couch potato and sitting for long periods of time may alter hormones produced in muscle tissue and lower body’s metabolic functions, researchers warned.
"As long as physical activities make you feel warmer, breathe harder and make your heart beat faster, activities such as DIY and gardening count towards the 150 minutes of moderate-intensity [weekly] activity recommended for a healthy lifestyle," said Senior Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation, Christopher Allen.
FGP/FGP
Poster Comment:
Which means nursing homes should be growing some of their own food.