Life expectancy in the U.S. has increased from 47.3 years in 1900 to 75.2 years for men and 80.4 years in women in 2005. By the year 2030, one in every five American will be 65 years or older. People in that age group typically suffer more from chronic diseases and disabilities. However, a new study shows that development of these diseases and disabilities is not inevitable if people were physically active in their midlives.

The study followed 13,535 middle-aged women over a 15-year period. In 1986, the participants were free of major chronic diseases and were asked about their exercise habits. They were asked about the average time per week that they spend on leisure-time physical activities, including walking or hiking outdoors, jogging, running, bicycling, lap swimming, playing tennis, doing calisthenics (organized exercise consisting of simple movements), aerobics, aerobic dance, and/or rowing machine exercise, and playing squash or racquet ball, in addition to stair climbing and walking.

Between 1995 and 2001, the same individuals that survived to age 70 or older were followed up to assess their health status. Successful aging was defined as no history of cancer (except nonmelanoma skin cancer), diabetes, myocardial infarction, coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), congestive heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, no impairment in cognitive function, no physical disabilities, and no mental health limitations. Those who survived to at least age 70 years and met all these criteria were defined as a “successful survivors;” those who survived to at least aged 70 years but had a chronic disease history, CABG, cognitive impairment, physical or mental health limitations were defined as “usual survivors.”

Overall, there was a strong, positive association between midlife leisure-time physical activity and the odds of successful survival or exceptional overall health in later life. Not surprisingly, successful survivors at age 70 were more active in their middle age than usual survivors. For example, increasing walking pace was strongly associated with a significant increase in odds of successful aging. When compared with women whose walking pace was easy, women with a moderate walking pace were 0.9 times more likely to successfully age, whereas those whose walking pace was brisk or very brisk had 2.68-fold increased odds.

One noteworthy finding was that being physically active was associated with increased odds of successful survival for both lean and overweight women, therefore suggesting that engaging in physical activity may increase the probability of preserving optimal health, regardless of body weight. Having said that, the best odds of successful survival were related to maintaining a healthy body weight and high physical activity levels simultaneously at midlife.

Our population is aging rapidly. However, nearly 25% of all Americans do not engage in any physical activity. The results of this study showing that physical activity can promote successful survival rather than just extend life may provide enough motivation for people to start exercising.