Adherence
Maintaining high levels of control beliefs, social support, and physical exercise in midlife significantly reduces age-related declines in functional health over a 10-year period, independent of physical risk factors.
Focus on building strong social connections, maintaining a sense of control over your life, and exercising vigorously during your 40s and 50s. These habits act as a buffer, preserving your physical independence and reducing disability risk when you reach your 60s and 70s.
a composite of the three protective variables (control beliefs, social support, and physical exercise) at Time 1 was significantly related to functional health change. The more of these factors at Time 1, the better the health maintenance over 10 years.
Why this rating
Large longitudinal sample (N=3,626), 10-year follow-up, controlling for confounders, but observational design limits causal inference.
Source
Promoting Functional Health in Midlife and Old Age: Long-Term Protective Effects of Control Beliefs, Social Support, and Physical Exercise
Margie E. Lachman et al. · PLoS ONE · 2010
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