Study: Keeping Busy With Even Routine Chores May Prolong Life

(CBS) A new study indicates anything that keeps someone physically active is a good thing and when it comes to prolonging life even simple activities such as cooking and shopping help.

According to The Early Show medical correspondent, Dr. Emily Senay, the researchers followed more than 300 elderly people for eight years, and found that the more physically active they were, the less likely they were to die during the course of the study.

Those considered most active, as measured by the amount of energy their bodies burned, were 67 percent less likely to die than those who were least active.

The study, which appeared in the Journal of the American Medical Association, put the death rate among the least active participants at 25 percent. Among the most active, that death rate was only 12 percent.

And, Senay pointed out, we're not talking here about people who pumped iron or were dedicated runners. The people in this study, who ranged in age from 70 to 82, filled their days with the ordinary activities of life, such as household chores and shopping. Some had jobs.

The study's lead author says plenty of people wouldn't even think to call these activities exercise, but they're valuable exercise, and can prolong life.

What's more, Senay noted, these non-strenuous activities being good didn't necessarily mean strenuous exercise is better. While younger and middle-aged adults do appear to benefit from programs of vigorous and regular exercise, Senay observed, this study suggests that for elderly people, it may not be how hard they exercise, but the total amount of energy their bodies burn. Little by little, chore by chore, activity by activity, that energy use adds up.

So, Senay suggested, if you're idle, get up and do something, even something routine, just as long as you're not sitting still. This study suggests you'll benefit from it. There are many activities you may not even realize you're doing. Take stock of those activities. Plan your day around doing as many as possible for as long as possible, and you could benefit.

Experts say you can never predict with 100 percent certainty that everyone who goes that route will benefit. There's always a small chance the added activity can be harmful, especially for senior citizens. But, considering how non-strenuous the suggested activities are, the risk is considered minimal, while the benefits can be substantial. Still, urged Senay, if you have any doubts, ask your doctor.

She added that the results of the study aren't considered definitive since it was relatively small. Larger studies will be needed before researchers can officially recommend that elderly people should become more active.

There are also questions the study doesn't answer. For instance, the researchers say they don't know why added activity appears to prolong life. It's also possible that for certain people in the least active group, an underlying illness may cause the inactivity, and be the real reason for an earlier death.

But, Senay concluded, the bottom line of this study is that activity is better than inactivity, and may add years to an elderly person's life.