Gardening linked with living longer lives

A study involving people over 60 suggests that gardening and fixing up the house can lead to longer life.

10:45 31 October 2013

A Swedish study involving 4,232 people who are 60 years and older reveal that exercising isn’t the only thing that can prolong the lives of older people.

The investigation suggests that simply getting up from the sofa and doing some gardening and fixing up the house can lead to longer life.

The study conducted by researchers at the Karolinska University Hospital in Stockholm and which was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, revealed that people who were more active on a day-to-day basis face a lower risk of heart attack.

However, those who did not exercise but remained relatively active by gardening still had a lower risk compared to those who sit in the sofa all the day.

The report said: "A generally active daily life had important beneficial associations with cardiovascular health and longevity in older adults, which seemed to be regardless of regular exercise."

Dr Tim Chico, honorary consultant cardiologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals, said:
"The message I take from this study is simple. If you want to reduce your risk of heart disease, be more active. Don't sit down for long periods; get up on your feet and do something you enjoy that involves moving around."