Activities of Daily Living and Health

Summary Activities of daily living, such as household, gardening, stair climbing, walking and cycling are now acknowledged as a major health resource, and explicitly advocated by many health authorities. Of activities of daily living, walking has received by far the most scientific interest both in prevention and therapy of chronic diseases. A considerable body of scientific evidence suggests that activities of daily living yield health benefits meaningful at the public health level. Promotion of these activities might be a promising way to improve health in unfit and elderly population disinclined to exercise.