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Handout 13. Physical activity: a fountain of youth

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Aging does not have to result in a major decline of the body. A University of Alberta team led by Sandra O'Brien Cousins reviewed all physical activity studies related to older adults and found that a physically active lifestyle is indeed a fountain of youth.

Test your knowledge of physical activity by determining whether the following statements are true or false.

True	False	1. Cardiovascular fitness decreases by about 1 per cent a year after the age of 25.
True	False	2. Physically active people have poorer memory and reaction times.
True	False	3. Muscle strength can increase up to 200% in older adults, gains that are hard to find in younger people.
True	False	4. Fear of injury is an insurmountable obstacle to physical activity in older adults.
True	False	5. Balance ability and confidence can be boosted through physical activity.
True	False	6. Physical activity lowers blood pressure.
True	False	7. Exercise of moderate intensity several times a week will protect against heart disease.
True	False	8. More older women die of heart disease than men.
True	False	9. It is too late for sedentary adults who have joint stiffness to do anything about it.
True	False	10. Older adults who plan to do more physical activity through walking should consult their physician.

Now go to the next page and check your answers:

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