Physical activity and health in mid-age and older Australian women
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Discussion
The evidence included in Part One of this report supports the notion that there is an inverse dose dependent relationship between physical activity and cardiovascular disease, some cancers, diabetes, mental health problems, and musculoskeletal problems in women. Importantly, the results of some these studies, which followed women from mid-age, found benefits for women who became active later in life, even if they had been sedentary for a long time (Hu, 2000).
In 1996, the associations between inactivity and health problems appeared to be stronger for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, (which have intermediate metabolic and physiological risk factors such as blood lipids, blood pressure etc that were also recognised as being independently affected by activity). More recent studies have strengthened the evidence relating physical activity to the prevention of some forms of cancer. Links between physical activity and fat metabolism, hormones, growth factors and immune function may also underlie these relationships. There is also new evidence relating to physical activity and mental health problems. Most, but not all of this evidence suggests an inverse association between physical activity and the development of depression, and there is growing evidence of a role for physical activity in the prevention of cognitive decline in older women. For some musculoskeletal problems (eg osteoarthritis and fractures), the evidence suggests that there are clear health benefits of regular physical activity for women.
From the evidence reviewed here there is no indication that physical activity can be harmful for women's health at the population level. Although injury (from participation in vigorous competitive sport) is implicated in the aetiology of osteoarthritis in men, none of the recent studies of physical activity and osteoarthritis have confirmed this association in women.
The evidence presented in this review provides a strong rationale for greater investment in the promotion of physical activity as a strategy for the primary prevention of a range of chronic health problems in women.