Exercise can extend survival even in 'oldest old'

This article, Exercise can extend survival even in ‘oldest old’ by Lindsey Tanner, relays the results of a study performed in Jerusalem from 1990 to 2008. The purpose of the study was to show that people in their mid to late 80’s benefit from being active, exercising four hours or more a week, versus being inactive, exercising less than four hours a week, improves the lives of this population and of others not only by extending their lifespan but by also improving their health and day to day activities in general.
Lindsey Tanner includes many relevant statements and results of this study to show the targeted population that in fact, exercising is a better way to improve their lives. According to Tanner’s article, “Active octogenarians also reported less depression and loneliness and a greater ability to perform daily tasks.” This statement is confirmed by Laura Thorp, a researcher at Chicago's Rush University Medical Center who said, "Even those who are not exercisers or athletes can start and still see substantial benefits." This statement is also important because it shows that even if the targeted population hasn’t been active at any point before in their life, being active now can give positive results.
To further show who cares, Tanner inserts, “Similar benefits have been shown in people in their 60s and 70s” into her article. This is an important statement as it extends the results not only to people in their mid to late 80’s but people in their 60’s and 70’s. The target population is a very large one, not only is it for a person already in this age group, but it’s for people about to get into the age group as well. Tanner shows relevance to these people because if this generation wants to live a healthier longer lifestyle they will become more active. Another target audience is the loved ones of these age groups, who maybe have influence over this older population’s lifestyle.
People of today are always searching for the latest and greatest way to improve the lifestyles of all populations. Lindsey Tanner does a great job arguing for her position in this article. She addresses the who cares? And the so what? questions that every good argumentative writing should have. She gives many different points of view from experts that in fact the information obtained in the research study is relevant and useful to give the ‘oldest old’ population a better and healthier life.

All quoted excerpts:

Tanner, Lindsey. "Exercise can extend survival even in 'oldest old'" Yahoo News. Exercise can extend survival even in 'oldest old' Web.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090914/ap_on_he_me/us_med_octogenarian_exercise