More Good News about Exercise - fractures and cancer

As if we need to be reminded, two new studies about exercise in older people (as I age I don't like to use the word "elderly") again remind us about the benefits of remaining active.

There is a lot of publicity (especially from the drug companies) about osteoperosis and fractures, particularly in women. As previously blogged, the drugs are overused based on the science. Now a study compared vitamin D and exercise against exercise alone and vitamin D alone.

Although the number of falls in all groups was similar, the number of injuries was significantly lower in the exercise group; vitamin D had no effect. This makes sense as muscles will be stronger and be able to react more quickly.

In a second report, it was found that in a study of over 14,000 older men being physically fit (as assessed by a treadmill test) resulted in a roughly 50% decrease in the risk for lung, colon and prostate cancer. Furthermore, these men had significantly lower mortality rates if they did develop cancer.

That said my wife and I are off to exercise!!