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Dr. Ray O’Connor explores key insights from recent studies about lifestyle and health, emphasizing how exercise can be a powerful alternative to less effective medications for various conditions.

Physical activity recommendations often focus on daily step counts. But what about how those steps are taken? Recent studies have found that the pattern of accumulating steps—whether in short bursts or longer periods—can impact mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among those who are not very active.

In a significant study from the UK Biobank, over 33,000 adults with fewer than 8,000 daily steps were analyzed. They were divided based on how they accumulated their steps: in short bursts (under five minutes) or longer sessions (15 minutes or more). The findings were striking: those who walked in longer bouts had lower rates of mortality and CVD risk compared to those who took shorter steps. This suggests that how we exercise matters just as much as the amount we do.

Integrating exercise with medication management can greatly benefit older adults, particularly those aged 60 and over. A recent article in *The Lancet Healthy Longevity* stresses the need for doctors to intertwine exercise into patient care, especially for conditions like depression, anxiety, and chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart issues. Exercise can reduce the side effects of medications and improve overall health. Yet, many healthcare providers lack training on how to prescribe exercise effectively, highlighting a gap in geriatric care.

Another systematic review focused on knee osteoarthritis found that different types of exercise can lead to improvements in pain and quality of life. It identified that aerobic exercise was particularly beneficial for individuals with this condition.

Lastly, addressing cognitive decline is crucial, especially for older adults who are cognitively healthy. A review of 109 studies showed that lifestyle interventions, including physical exercise and cognitive training, can significantly improve cognitive function. The strongest results came from combining both exercise and cognitive activities, suggesting that a holistic approach is key to prevention.

Overall, these findings underscore the importance of incorporating exercise into everyday life and treatment plans. Not only can it enhance physical health, but it can also help combat mental challenges as we age.

For more information, you can explore these detailed studies:

1. Del Pozo Cruz B et al. [Step Accumulation Patterns and Risk for Cardiovascular Events and Mortality Among Suboptimally Active Adults](https://www.acpjournals.org/doi/10.7326/ANNALS-25-01547).
2. Izquierdo M et al. [Integrating exercise and medication management in geriatric care: a holistic strategy to enhance health outcomes](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanhl.2025.100763).
3. Yan L et al. [Comparative efficacy and safety of exercise modalities in knee osteoarthritis](http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2025‑085242).
4. Mendes A et al. [Single-domain and multidomain lifestyle interventions for the prevention of cognitive decline](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanhl.2025.100762).

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