Launch an Exercise Program Today, Say Aging Institute, Senator John Glenn

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE
Thursday, September 10, 1998
12:00 PM Eastern Time

Janet Shure/Vicky Cahan
301-496-1752

The National Institute on Aging (NIA), with astronaut and Senator John Glenn and other federal agency partners, today launched a national education campaign for keeping fit after 50. The project is tied to release of an important new book, Exercise: A Guide from the National Institute on Aging, that shows older Americans how to step up their physical activity to improve health and well-being with age.

Joining the NIA in distributing the guide and increasing public awareness about exercise and healthy aging are the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the U.S. Public Health Service's Office on Women's Health (OWH) in the Department of Health and Human Services, along with Senator Glenn. At a September 10 news conference, they introduced the publication and debuted public service television spots promoting exercise and announcing the book's availability.

"Every American can benefit from increased physical activity, and even moderate exercise can help older Americans lead longer, healthier lives. It's good for them, and for public health in our nation," according to Health and Human Services Secretary Donna E. Shalala. NIA is relying on a growing body of research demonstrating the benefits of exercise and its role in maintaining and even restoring strength and stamina with age. At the same time, Secretary Shalala said, studies have shown that inactivity can be dangerous; lack of exercise and poor diet together were found to be the second largest underlying cause of death in the U.S. in 1990, after smoking.

The initiative comes at a critical time, as the 78-million-strong baby boom enters its 50s, said NIA Director Richard J. Hodes, M.D. The rapid aging of the population makes it increasingly important that older Americans take advantage of ways to stave off frailty and diseases associated with aging. "Regular exercise could make the difference between an individual -- or a society -- that ages well and one that doesn't," he noted. "This guide gives people the tools they need to start an exercise habit and stick with it."

Senator Glenn, who has had a longtime interest in aging research, also stressed the importance of a meaningful commitment to exercise and fitness. In fact, the Senator said, his participation in the upcoming Shuttle Mission STS-95 at age 77 would not have been possible without attention to exercise and diet. The Senator said an important part of his regimen has always involved exercises anyone can do, such as jogging and brisk walks, and has not relied on high-tech equipment or training.

"You're never too old to get in shape. We can all enjoy health and vigor in our later years by making physical activity and exercise a personal priority," the Senator said.

NASA's Life Sciences Division and the NIA are working on joint research about healthy aging, and NASA is a key partner in promoting exercise and the new guide. "The importance of exercise in maintaining good health is demonstrated by the effects of inactivity in two seemingly very different situations -- spaceflight and aging," said Arnauld Nicogossian, M.D., NASA Associate Administrator for Life and Microgravity Sciences and Applications. In the weightlessness of space, astronauts no longer have to work against the gravity of Earth. This decreased effort can have adverse effects similar to those associated with aging, such as weakening of bones and muscles, cardiovascular deconditioning, balance disorders, disturbed sleep, and depressed immune response.

One of Senator Glenn's assignments during the October flight will involve scientific experiments to examine the weakening of astronauts' muscles and bones in weightlessness. "By investigating the similarities between what happens to the body in spaceflight and with aging, we will better understand how these mechanisms operate," Dr. Nicogossian said.

The OWH will distribute the book in a special effort aimed at increasing physical activity among middle-aged and older women. "Today's older women, unlike men their age, may not have been encouraged in sports or physical activity during youth," noted OWH Director Wanda K. Jones, Dr.P.H. "We want women to know that exercise is one of the best things they can do for themselves and for their families, and this book can help them get started." The 1996 Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health pointed out that physical inactivity increases with age, and about half of women age 75 and older are inactive.

The NIA spent two years preparing the 100-page guide, reviewing the medical literature on exercise and aging, selecting a set of recommended exercises, and writing the booklet. The project started with an advisory panel of experts and involved consulting dozens of other knowledgeable scientists and organizations. Scores of older people "road-tested" the book as well, trying the exercises and commenting on its approach. The guide focuses on four key areas for improving health and ability:

• Endurance exercises increase breathing and heart rate, improving overall health and function of the heart, lungs, and circulatory system. Endurance exercises increase stamina for everyday activities like climbing stairs and may also delay or prevent many diseases associated with aging, such as diabetes, colon cancer, heart disease, stroke, and others. These exercises also have been shown to reduce death and hospitalization rates.

• Strength exercises build muscles. Even for frail adults nearing age 100, these exercises can improve abilities needed for living independently, as well as increasing metabolism to keep weight and blood sugar in check. Studies also suggest strength exercises may prevent osteoporosis.

• Balance exercises, which involve building up leg muscles or practicing balance, can help prevent falls. Falls are a major cause of broken hips and other injuries that can often lead to disability and loss of independence.

• Flexibility exercises keep the body limber by stretching the muscles and tissues that hold the body's structures in place. Studies on the benefits of flexibility are now underway, but health professionals already recommend certain stretching exercises for injury prevention and for recovery from injuries.

Home-based exercises are presented in the book, with 45 illustrations and instructions on how to put together an achievable,
balanced program. The guide also addresses safety concerns, how to exercise with chronic conditions or frailty, keeping up
enthusiasm for an exercise program, and proper nutrition. Older people do not necessarily need to see a physician before
starting an exercise program; however, people with specific chronic conditions, a family history of certain health problems, or
any other concerns should consult a doctor first. NIA has also factored in incentives: people who have been exercising for at
least a month can send the Institute a form from the booklet, and NIA will send back a certificate recognizing their commitment
to exercise.

The book will be available in both electronic and printed form. On the Internet, it will initially appear at , a NASA website. The
NIA and NASA have collaborated to develop animated versions of some of the exercises featured in the publication to
demonstrate the safest and most effective techniques. These can be viewed on the Internet version of the book.

To help get the word out about the book's availability, the NIA has produced two public service announcements (PSAs). The
PSAs will be distributed to public service directors at television stations and networks across the U.S. One features Senator
Glenn's lifelong commitment to exercise and the other is a stylized black-and-white drama showing characters in pursuit of a
package containing the "secret" to healthy aging. At the end of each spot, viewers are urged to contact the NIA toll free for the
exercise guide, at 1-800-222-2225, or 1-800-222-4225 (TTY). The book can also be ordered by e-mail at
niainfo@lkacc.com

Today, 71 million Americans are age 50 and older. About 34 million people, or 1 in 8 Americans, are 65-plus. Those numbers are expected to grow rapidly, with increased life expectancy and the aging of the baby boomers. By 2030, the number of Americans age 65 and older will comprise at least 20 percent of the U.S. population and will total at least 80 million people.

But the proven health benefits of exercise will not be felt by growing numbers of older people without change. The Surgeon General's 1996 report, a call for people of all ages to become more active, noted that half of U.S. adults are not engaged in regular physical activity or exercise, and some 25% do no physical activity at all. In fact, the level of activity declines with age, the report noted.

The NIA, part of the National Institutes of Health at DHHS, leads the federal effort supporting and conducting research on aging and the special medical, social, and behavioral issues of older people. A substantial part of NIA's research involves ways to prevent frailty and reduce disability with age.

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