Study: 'Use it, or lose it' - UPI

Middle-aged people, who had a reasonable level of physical activity, had less physical disability later in life, British researchers found....

The researchers found that middle-aged people who had been physically active were less likely to become unable to walk distances, climb stairs, maintain their sense of balance, stand from a seated position with their arms folded or sustain their hand grip as they got older.

Being overweight or obese was associated with an overall increased risk of physical impairment but, regardless of weight, people who engaged in heavy housework or gardening, who played a sport or who had a physically active job, were more likely to remain mobile later in life, Lang said....