Walking four times weekly for at least 15 min is associated with longevity in a Cohort of very elderly people

Objectives: This study investigated the role of walking outdoors on longevity, controlling for individual and other life-style factors as possible confounders. Methods:A 10-year cohort study was conducted with 152 self-caring and mobile, mean age 80 years, were enrolled in the study. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, clinical and biochemical data, diet, physical activity, smoking, depression status, cognitive status and anthropometrics measurements, were obtained for all participants. Cox proportional-hazards models were used to determine independent predictors of longevity. Results: During the 10-years of follow-up, 96(63%) died. Old age, chronic diseases, smoking, depression, CD4/CD8 ratio and coffee consumption were significantly predictors of mortality. Over-all survival was highest for subjects walking at open air for 4 times weekly for at least 15 min in comparison to subjects walking less than 4 times weekly (40% versus 22%). After adjusting for sex, age, education, chronic diseases, smoking, Body Mass Index and CD4/CD8 ratio, elderly people walking at open air for four times weekly had 40% decreased risk of mortality that individuals who walked less than four times weekly [relative risk (RR) = 0.53; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.32-0.88, p = 0.01]. Conclusions: Findings suggest an independent and protective effect of walking on mortality and supports the encouragement of physical activity in advanced age for increasing longevity. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.