Older women who exercise moderately on a regular basis can cut their risk of colds to half

Oct 26, 2006 14:06 GMT  ·  By

A recent study conducted by researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center shows that post-menopausal women who adopt a long-term moderate exercise program are about 50% less likely to get to suffer from common colds as compared to their peers who do not get and stay active. Writing in the American Journal of Medicine, the team of researchers involved in the study advised older women not to give up on exercising just because they are not young and do not need a beautiful, slim and fit body anymore. Working out is not only about looking good, on the contrary, it is mainly about preserving one's health and preventing disorders and conditions.

Lead author of the report Cornelia Ulrich stated: "There has always been this anecdotal evidence, and some small studies, suggesting that with moderate exercise you can improve your immunity. Our study is the first time that a rigorous trial showed that the number of colds can be affected by exercise." She also added: "This adds another good reason to put exercise on your to-do list, especially now that cold season is here." The study was conducted on 115 postmenopausal, overweight and sedentary women living in Seattle. Volunteers in the study were divided into two groups: women in one group took-up regular aerobic-exercising of moderate intensity, while the comparison or 'placebo' group did not work out regularly; they only attended stretching classes once per week.

The follow-up study lasted for 1 year, during which women in the exercising group worked out for an average of 30 minutes daily, 5 days per week. Initially, subjects were supposed to exercise for a longer, 45-minute period of time daily, but 30 minutes of regular working out was found beneficial in the end, too. Overall results showed that the levels of leukocytes (immune cells which keep infections at bay) in the bodies of women who exercised became higher as the time passed by.

Therefore, exercising regularly and sticking to workout session is the most important for older women who want to preserve their health and keep colds away. Medical experts also advised post-menopausal women not to over-exercise and engage in strenuous, exhaustive physical activity, as this would do them no good. They should learn that moderate, regular exercise is the most beneficial for their body and their health.

Dr. Ulrich pointed out: "The enhanced immunity was strongest in the final quarter of the year-long exercise intervention. This suggests that when it comes to preventing colds, it's really important to stick with exercise long term. In everybody this level of aerobic exercise has been recommended for a number of health outcomes. The women also lost a bit of weight and fresh air could go some way to helping strengthen the immune system. It's important to bear in mind that this is the first study to show this and ideally we would like a much larger trial."