TheUSMS population averaged 4.7 (+/- 4.4) hours moderate and 7.1 (+/- 5.5) hours of vigorous activity per week. Furthermore, both males and females had significantly higher scores across all dimensions of quality of life when compared to the general population. Our results reveal that the USMS population is participating above and beyond these ACSM and CDC recommendations for physical activity and that this may be an important factor in the greater overall health status and quality of life that these individuals enjoy. Data which was presented at the 2005 American College of Sports Medicine Conference ( Nashville, Tennessee) and a discussion of our results may be viewed by following this link: Quality of Life, Health and Well Being of Highly Active Individuals.

Our current project ( description in Biological Markers of Aging in Highly Active Adults ) focuses on the relationship between physical activity patterns, health, quality of life and skeletal muscle mass. The maintenance of muscle mass and strength may be a key determinant in an individual’s quality of life as they age. This maintenance may allow for a higher level of physical function leading to potential independence across their lifespan.

Future plans include the monitoring of swim training and other daily physical activity via an accelerometer (click here for a description of the swimming energy expenditure research ) Subjects will wear an accelerometer throughout their daily activity as well as while participating in swimming activities. This will allow for an examination of their daily activity patterns to determine if it is the swim training and/or general activity patterns that lead to a more favorable profile. In other words, does structured exercise lead to an increase in physical activity outside of training sessions when compared to the general population and what impact may this have on health and well-being