A recent study published in the journal PLOS Medicine suggests that women in midlife who engage in regular exercise, or even start a new fitness routine, can significantly improve their quality of life. The researchers found that women who consistently exercised had better health-related quality of life compared to those who did not exercise regularly. This includes physical functioning, with benefits being seen in women who started exercising at age 55 as well as those who had always exercised. Experts recommend prioritizing exercise in midlife and suggest easing into a fitness regimen if starting for the first time.
The study, which involved over 11,000 women born between 1946 and 1951, assessed the participants’ physical health using a composite score derived from a survey that included questions about functional health and wellbeing. Women who consistently met physical activity guidelines, as well as those who began meeting them at age 55, had a higher physical health composite score than those who did not meet the guidelines. The World Health Organization recommends adults engage in 150 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic physical activity each week, along with muscle strengthening activities at least two days a week.
Experts emphasize the importance of regular physical activity for women’s overall health and quality of life. Dr. Nicole Yedlinsky, a family medicine and sports medicine physician, highlights the numerous benefits that exercise offers to various body systems, such as the heart, lungs, bones, and muscles. She emphasizes that exercise plays a key role in maintaining joint mobility, muscle strength, bone density, and preventing major diseases. Quality of life is a crucial component of longevity, and exercise can help minimize the physiological decline that typically accompanies aging.
The study findings revealed that women who began meeting exercise guidelines at age 55 enjoyed the same benefits as those who had been exercising consistently prior to that age. Dr. Sherry Ross, an OB/GYN and women’s health expert, suggests that menopausal women, who may experience various symptoms that impede exercise, should start slowly when initiating a fitness routine. For women with conditions like osteoporosis, caution should be taken to avoid activities that may increase the risk of falling or instability. Transition periods in midlife, such as retirement or bereavement, can also influence activity levels, but prioritizing exercise is crucial for overall health.
While the benefits of physical activity are well-established, life transitions in midlife can impact women’s exercise habits. However, experts urge women in this age group to prioritize their own health and quality of life by engaging in regular movement. Dr. Charlie Porter, a cardio-oncologist, emphasizes the importance of maintaining strength, stamina, flexibility, and balance through consistent exercise, as the loss of these capacities can lead to physical infirmity and a reduction in quality of life. Encouraging women to prioritize their own well-being through exercise, especially during a stage of life with multiple demands, can have significant long-term health benefits. Just as parents are instructed to secure their own oxygen masks on a plane before assisting others, self-care through regular exercise is essential for midlife women to sustain their health and independence.
