If you do one thing this week . . . get active in your leisure time

A NEW study from the US suggests, maybe not surprisingly, that being physically active in leisure time during middle age could help your heart health in the longer term. The research looked at data from more than 4,200 adults (mean age around 49) about leisure time physical activities such as walking, cycling, sports, gardening, housework and home maintenance.

The longitudinal study also looked at markers of inflammation at baseline and followed up on average just over 11 years later. The results, just published online in Circulation, found those who were more physically active tended to have lower markers of inflammation, which is linked to better heart health. “These leisure time activities represent moderate intensity exercise that is important to health,” says researcher Dr Mark Hamer from University College in London. “It is especially important for older people to be physically active because it contributes to successful ageing.”