The University of Illinois research indicated positive psychosocial and cognitive outcomes -- in effect, significant quality-of-life gains -- among participants who remained physically active long after they began an initial randomized, six-month exercise trial consisting of stretching/toning exercises and walking. Results were taken from a battery of assessments and surveys and  administered at one and five year intervals following the initial exercise regimen. McCauley said the study -- which assessed physical self-esteem, quality of life, physical activity levels, self-efficacy and affect in a large sample (174) of adults over age 65 -- is believed to be the only one to date that examines the relationship between physical activity and quality of life over such a long period of time.

"Self-efficacy," McAuley noted, can be defined as "the belief, or self-confidence, in one's capacity to successfully carry out a task"; while "affect" refers to reported levels of happiness or contentment.

The researchers found that participants who continued to be physically active a year after baseline responses were recorded -- through engagement in leisure, occupational or home activities, such as house-cleaning or gardening -- were "fitter, had higher levels of self-efficacy and physical self-esteem, expressed more positive affect and reported, in turn, a better quality of life."

Increased physical activity over time, as indicated by results of the five year follow-up, "was associated with greater improvements in self-esteem and affect. Enhanced affect was, in turn, associated with increases in satisfaction with life over time," the researchers noted.

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