Faith-based interventions can encourage older African-American women to don their ladies fitness clothing and exercise more, a study has suggested.

The research, which was conducted in Los Angeles, California, found that encouraging African-American women aged 60 or over to exercise, in conjunction with scripture reading and group prayer, led to a 78 per cent increase in the steps they walked each week.

This is the equivalent of about three extra miles than they were walking before the study.

Women who were assigned to a control group were also encouraged to exercise but with no faith based interventions and they walked four times less than the other group.

"Our findings suggest that interventions using faith-based strategies may be effective in changing behaviour among older African-American women, which could improve health and potentially delay the progression to disability in this population," said lead researcher Dr O Kenrik Duru, of the University of California, Los Angeles.

Last month, personal trainer Matt Roberts said that older people can be just as active as their younger counterparts but advised them to start their exercise regimes at a low level with regular brisk walks.

Posted by Martin Sebborn ADNFCR-2569-ID-800106755-ADNFCR

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