For those of you who (like me) are conscious their bodies are “getting older”, this recent JAMA review is very informative – and encouraging!

Personally, I find my mind does not know my body cannot do what it use to – until I injure myself!

Regular activity decreases my injury risk, but, after knee, back and hernia episodes, too much activity too soon is risky! So now I slowly but regularly increase my activity intensity – and injuries are fewer! And I’m “body-wiser”.

Hence I was delighted to read this article.

In a meta-analysis of 6 studies, 700,000 individuals (and 120,000 deaths), Arem, Moore, Patel, et al asked and answered 4 Q’s:

• Does the recommended 75 mins activity per week decrease your mortality expectancy? Yes, 20% less risk
• Does more activity give you more reduction in mortality risk? Yes, somewhat  (31-39% less risk)
• Is there a level of activity beyond which no further decrease in mortality occurs? Yes, at 3-5 times the weekly recommendation
• Does even more activity do you harm? No, at least not at 10 times the recommended activity level.

The full article is downloadable free at http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2212267.