Regular physical activity lowers fracture risk in older women

Keeping the body moving through physical activity does not only ensure the overall well-being, but it also reduces the risk of hip or any other fracture in older women. The study highlighting the comprehensive evaluation of physical activity and fracture incidence in postmenopausal women was published in JAMA Network Open. To establish a relation between the two, researchers included over 77,000 participants in the Women's Health Initiative, who were followed up over 14 years. During the follow-up, 33 per cent of participants reported experiencing at least one fracture.Women who did the highest amount of physical activity which was approximately 35 minutes or more of daily recreational and household activities had an 18 per cent lower risk of hip fracture and 6 per cent lower risk of total fracture. "Modest activities, including walking, can significantly reduce the risk of fracture, which can, in turn, lower the risk of death," Wactawski-Wende suggested.