Which sports are best for health and long life? We know exercise improves our quality of life, now research shows which exercise.

[AussieNeil]

'To strengthen the evidence on health benefits of six common sport disciplines – aerobics, cycling, football, racquet sports, running and swimming – we recently analysed data from 80,306 British adults. The study found 27%, 15%, 47% and 28% reduced risk of death for participants in aerobics, cycling, racquet sports and swimming, respectively.

:

It may take decades until we reach definite conclusions about health outcomes of all types of sport. Should you in the meantime sit in front of the TV and wait for researchers to announce the final results? No. Follow your preferences and select an affordable and easily accessible sporting activity you enjoy doing, while trying to minimise the risk of injury.

This will increase your likelihood of staying sufficiently motivated and engaged in the activity long enough to reap substantial health benefits.'

Zeljko Pedisic, Senior research fellow, Victoria University explains the research and its findings: theconversation.com/which-s...

While many of us may find sport beyond us, just making the effort to have more exercise can provide us with benefits, even if it is simply helping lift CLL related fatigue.

Neil

Photo: Walking path through the Australian Bush in the Kelly Hill Caves Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island. A series of caves was found here when a stockman on his horse fell through a cave roof. The horse was never found and the caves were named after the horse.

[AmericanRonin]

Is there anyone who has done a lot of running their entire life who doesn't end up with severe knee problems?!

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator in reply to AmericanRonin]

Injury risk is specifically covered in the article which makes the point that 'experts advise that up to 50% of sports injuries can be prevented. The risk can be minimised by following Sports Medicine Australia’s in-depth prevention guidelines in their Injury Fact Sheets.' That said, I'd recommend sports where we aren't putting high loads on our joints, with swimming being excellent in that regard. Cycling is good too, provided you have a bike with good low gearing and use these to avoid putting excessive stress on your knee joints. I know from research studies that commuting cycling, despite the risk of injury and even death, has statistically been shown to provide more health benefits overall than risk.

Coincidentally, just published in "The Conversation' - Listen up: running sounds contain clues for injury prevention

theconversation.com/listen-...

[Leshere in reply to AmericanRonin]

Anecdotal but I can remember being in A and E after head butting a car when running. When the doctor finally arrived she apologised for being delayed...'I had one hart attack and a stroke arrive at the same time as you!' I had to have 13 stitches and made a bloody mess on the floor. which would you chose of the three?

L

[AmericanRonin in reply to Leshere]

I choose the hotel swimming pool in Bali.

[JaneSmith_Worcs_UK]

I would place dance amongst that list. Absolutely essential to my life and can be taken at all levels, ability and styles and the social aspect is a huge aspect. I attend two classes for 55+ which include contemporary, jazz, tap, burlesque, ballet etc. We are all abilities and the greatest factor is the huge smiles throughout. I recently gave up the 18+ contemporary class as a nearly 70 yr old my movement memory became a hazard to others. These go along with a couple of very aerobic type dance fit classes and three Body balance classes a week, a mixture of yoga, tai chi, pilates +++. Know it is an aspect of why I am still fit and able to fight off ageing.

[Oleboyredw-uk in reply to JaneSmith_Worcs_UK]

I too think dance is good. However after 30 plus years of Morris dancing (at least two hours a week and in summer much more) I'm sure it helped in general but I did have keyhole surgery for a degenerative medial meniscus tear two years ago. Almost certainly attributed to the dancing. Isnt going to stop me dancing.

Rob

[JaneSmith_Worcs_UK in reply to Oleboyredw-uk]

Yes have to consider our bodies and age but the shoe joy it brings compensates!

[Bsv39 in reply to JaneSmith_Worcs_UK]

Hi Jane. Just found your post and was wondering how you are doing ?

[Cammie]

Recent studies also concur golf increases longevity and fitness.

Obviously the walking of between 4-6 miles each round is the key and the flexibility.

I've just Yesterday started a cardio vascular fitness programme at our local hospital gym. The stress test last week showed a reasonable fitness level for my age group and I now have three sessions per week on the circuit training to improve.

I'm hoping that increasing general fitness will assist in my health and improve my golf which has been under pressure lateley.

One thing I learned after the first session is that at 69 I'm not quite as flexible as I used to be so got some hard work to do lol

[tekusa]

When I saw the picture I thought of Little Manatee River State Park in Tampa Florida area. Only thing is the mosquitoes in Florida are on the increase for Zika. No one is talking about the Zika there as of late. youtube.com/watch?v=dkA5XCg...(Not working as expected?)

About the article....might need to trade in my Bicycle for a Tennis Racket. However something called Pickle Ball might be a reasonable substitute for Tennis. I am thinking it would be easier on the knees.

[PaulaS Volunteer in reply to tekusa]

Beautiful video, Tekusa. Thanks for posting. Makes me want to walk those trails. Sports can be great, but just walking is a good health booster too. As Neil has said, any physical activity is better than none.

Paula

P.S. Let us know how you get on with the Pickle Ball

[francc in reply to tekusa]

Pickleball has been around for over 50 years in the U.S. It has recently experienced a rebirth doubling in membership every year. I play 4 times a week and occasionally 6 times a week. It is fun, and can be as competitive as you want it to be. Most places to play are 'open play' where one plays one game, then moves to another court with a different partner and opponents, or sits out for a rest. Some play in leagues with a regular partner. It is as much exercise as you want in a 3-4 hour period. In open play you can arrive when you want and leave when you want. The courts is 20x44 so less court to cover. I am 74 and have had no problems with my knees and find that I am much more active on the court than I ever was with tennis. You can check out usapa.com for places to play and places to learn the game.

We drove across the country (Atlanta to Seattle) this summer and played every morning or afternoon at a new venue in the towns we spent the night in. You can't do that with any other sport I can think of.

Give it a shot. Enjoy!

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

'...it’s important to recognise the absolute level of risk remains low (6.3 per 100,000 participants per year)'. Follow-up article on how to prevent injury, by Jordan Smith, Lecturer in Physical Education, University of Newcastle: theconversation.com/how-to-...

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

Here's a great Interactive body map showing the relationship between physical inactivity and the risks to different aspects of your health by Carol Maher, National Heart Foundation Senior Research Fellow in Physical Activity, Sedentary Behaviour and Sleep and Tim Olds, Professor of Health Sciences, both of the University of South Australia: theconversation.com/interac...

The above authors also explain how different forms of exercise can benefit us and how to maximising your success in Exercise: motivation gets you started, but routine keeps you going: theconversation.com/exercis...

Neil

[AussieNeil Partner Administrator]

A small study, indicating running can actually reduce knee inflammation!

newatlas.com/running-reduce...