Middle-aged individuals may want to consider exercising to improve their health as they age, according to a new study.

Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital say that women who survive to age 70 or older were in better overall health if they participated in physical activity during their midlife years.

The scientists reviewed data on 13,535 women with an average age of 60 years starting in 1986. Among those who had survived to age 70 or older a decade later, those who had higher levels of physical activity at the beginning of the study were less likely to have chronic diseases, heart surgery or any physical, cognitive or mental impairments.

The study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, supports the idea of federal guidelines on physical activity to promote health.

"The findings emphasize the potential of activity to enhance overall health and well being with aging," the authors conclude. "The notion that physical activity can promote successful survival rather than simply extend the lifespan may provide particularly strong motivation for initiating activity."