New study shows leisure time activities may lower death risk for older adults

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 24 (Xinhua) -- Older adults who participate weekly in many different types of leisure time activities may have a lower risk of death from any cause, as well as death from cardiovascular disease and cancer, according to a new study published on Wednesday.

The findings, published in JAMA Network Open, suggest that it is important for older adults to engage in leisure time activities such as walking for exercise, jogging, swimming laps, or playing tennis.

The study, led by researchers at the U.S. National Cancer Institute, used data from 272,550 adults between ages 59 and 82 who had completed questionnaires about their leisure time activities.

The researchers found that achieving the recommended amount of physical activity per week through any combination of these activities was associated with a 13 percent lower risk of death from any cause compared with no participation.