Research from the Queensland University of Technology's Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation suggesting that moderate to high intensity activity could be essential to reducing the risk of death in older women.

To help combat health problems in later life, both in a physical and mental capacity, the researchers have also called for health professionals to propose tailored exercise programs for older women alongside conventional treatment methods.

Conducted by Professor Debra Anderson and Dr Charlotte Seib, the study observes five years of research exploring how exercise impacts on the mental and physical health of women who aged over 50.

They concluded that moderate to vigorous exercise could be vital to women who are in their older years, with new perceptions now also being formed about how much exercise is actually necessary for older women to attain health benefits.

"Studies clearly show moderate to vigorous intensity activity can have mental and physical health benefits, particularly when part of broader positive health changes," said Professor Anderson.

"When once we thought that 30 minutes of mild exercise a day was enough to improve health, research is now telling us that older women should be doing at least 30-45 minutes – five times a week – of moderate to high intensity exercise, and by that we mean exercise that leaves you huffing and puffing.

"It's also important that the exercise be tailored to ensure that it is high intensity enough to obtain the positive sustained effects of exercise."

Growing amounts of research have alluded towards the health benefits that exercise can bring throughout the life cycle.

Some of these studies include shedding light on the negative impact inactivity can have on the development of heart disease in women over the age of 30.

Elsewhere, exercise has also been cited to help improve the academic performance of children.