It's never too late! Scientists find you CAN 'make up' for being lazy as a teen ... trends now

View
comments

It can sometimes feel impossible to juggle children, a career and social life while also trying to stay fit and healthy.

But getting active in your 50s isn't too late to boost your quality of life, according to experts.

Scientists have found it may be possible to 'make up' for not being active earlier in life by doing more exercise as you get older.

Researchers collected data from more than 11,000 women at three-year intervals beginning in 1996. All were aged between 47 and 52 when the study started.

Participants were classified as either meeting World Health Organization physical activity guidelines — of 150 minutes of activity per week — consistently over 15 years, not initially meeting the guidelines but started to meeting them at age 55, 60 or 65, or never meeting them.

The researchers also assessed their health-related quality of life, with their physical health scored out of 100.

On average, people who consistently met physical activity guidelines and those who first started to meet them at the age of 55 had a three-point higher physical health score compared to those who never met them.

Having a higher score means a person is more likely to report that they are in good health, that they are not limited in carrying out vigorous or moderate activities, that they can carry groceries or climb stairs without issue, and that their health does not interfere with social activities.

The researchers, from the University of Sydney, said: 'Combined with existing evidence, this study contributes to growing evidence of the benefits of maintaining or adopting an active lifestyle in mid-age.

'An

read more from dailymail.....