The Role of Exercise in the Health of Older People: the Bunkyo Health Study and the CURVES Study

Japan, which has the highest rate of aging in the world, is facing significant challenges in sustaining its healthcare and social security systems. Addressing these issues requires closing the gap between average and healthy life expectancy and extending the latter. Engaging in physical activity and exercise offers numerous benefits for the elderly, including reduced mortality, mitigated cognitive decline, and prevention of falls and related injuries. The Bunkyo Health Study, a prospective cohort study in Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, suggests that exercise habits in both adolescence and older period can help prevent osteoporosis, sarcopenia, and a decline in physical function. Despite these advantages, the widespread adoption of exercise habits is low, and while the utilization of private fitness clubs is encouraged, the evidence supporting their efficacy is limited.