Exercise can keep lungs healthy as you age

Exercise can keep lungs healthy as you age


Aging is part of life, but declining lung function doesn’t have to be an inevitable consequence.

A study done by researchers at the Northwestern University School of Medicine found that one way to slow down lung decline is to stay fit.

Researchers analyzed data from a National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s study that began in 1985. The study followed more than 5,000 healthy men and women between the ages of 18 and 30 for 20 years.

Periodically, the study participants did a treadmill test to measure their overall heart and lung fitness. After adjusting the results for factors such as age, smoking and body mass index, the results showed that those who stayed fit for 20 years had a slower rate in lung function decline than those who didn’t exercise regularly. The findings were presented at the 2016 American Thoracic Society Conference.

The researchers said the findings show that fitness is important throughout a person’s entire life, not just when he or she is young. Being fit throughout life even appeared to be beneficial for smokers, the researchers found. The team cautioned that this is an observational study and further research is needed to get a better idea of the connection between fitness and lung function decline.

The American Lung Association suggests several steps that can help keep your lungs healthy longer: avoid smoking and exposure to pollutants that can damage your lungs, such as radon. Prevent infection by washing your hands, getting recommended vaccines, and staying away from sick co-workers and friends. And, as this study showed, exercise regularly — even if you think you’re too old for it to matter.

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