Physical activity as the elixir of youth might seem like old news, but there's a new twist.

For the best chance of a long, healthy life, marathon training is not required, but staying busy and active might be, doctors at the Mayo Clinic say.

According to March's Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource, any activity that contributes to energy expenditure in older adults - in other words, burning more calories than you consume - may help prolong life. Such activities can include household chores such as vacuuming, mopping the floor, washing windows, lawn work, caring for children or adults, walking or volunteering.

A study published last year in the Journal of the American Medical Association tracked 302 adults 70 to 84 for six years and found those people who showed the highest energy expenditures enjoyed about half the mortality risk of those with the lowest expenditures.

The high-energy folks reported climbing stairs or working for pay as a daily part of their lives.

"Although researchers don't have all the answers about how daily activities affect longevity, it's heartening to know when people are too busy for exercise, staying busy around the house, at work, or in the community may contribute to a longer, healthier life," Mayo doctors said, in the newsletter.

Tip: get active much earlier

But you don't wait to wait until your golden years to get active, or else heart disease may make sure you don't make it to that time. The largest, long-term study of changes in physical fitness doesn't paint a pretty picture for many people in their 40s and 50s, but the situation is not without hope.

According to the 20-year study by the HMO giant Kaiser Permanente of nearly 2,300 people, fitness levels dropped by 28 percent while weight increased by 20 percent during those middle-aged years. Over the two decades, the study participants said their physical activity dropped by about 18 percent.

The American Heart Association recommends that all adults strive to get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day.

"While aging is something we have no control over, most of us do have the ability to control how physically active we remain as we get older," said Dr. Stephen Sidney, the study's principal investigator and a Kaiser research director. "This study shows the importance of staying physically active throughout our lives and how we can better influence our fitness levels, and consequently, better manage our weight.

"We know that low physical fitness levels put people at greater risk of cardiovascular disease and related deaths."

Check these out . . .

•  Do You Walk Enough at Work?

•  10 Ways to Hit the Trail

•  10 Ways to Keep Brainy While You Age

•  10 Ways to Get Moving

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Sources: Mayo Clinic, Kaiser Permanente
References: Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource, PRNewswire

Nubella News, a division of Marketing Technology Solutions, Inc., offers content intended for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We encourage our readers to seek prompt medical care for health issues and consult their physicians before starting a new diet, fitness regimen, or medical treatment.