# A 9-Year Mailed Exercise Program Barely Moved the Needle in Older Women

*Physical Activity and Sitting over 9 years of the Women's Health Initiative Strong & Healthy (WHISH) Randomized Physical Activity Intervention Trial in Older Women.*

- **Evidence Level**: Strong
- **Publication Types**: Journal Article
- **Journal**: The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences
- **Sample Size**: 49,331 women aged 66-99
- **Authors**: Stefanick ML, Mackey SF, Larson JC, Tinker LF, McGuire V, Rovzar CM, Oppezzo M, LaMonte MJ, Kooperberg C, LaCroix AZ, King AC
- **Published**: 2026-07-31
- **Topics**: exercise, healthy aging, women's health
- **DOI**: https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/glag189
- **Original Source**: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42535906/

## Summary

Nearly 50,000 women aged 66 to 99 were randomly assigned to a long-running, remotely delivered program that encouraged more movement and less sitting. After almost nine years, the group getting the nudges walked and exercised about 3 to 4 percent more and sat about 1.5 percent less. Real, but small. The effect was strongest in the youngest women and faded in those over 80.

## Practical Takeaway

This study suggests low-touch mailed reminders alone rarely produce big activity changes, especially past age 80.

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_Canonical: https://longevity-switzerland.com/en/research/a-9-year-mailed-exercise-program-barely-moved-the-needle-in-older-women · Part of Longevity Cities · Updated 2026-07-31_