A new study suggests that regular engagement with cultural activities, from cinema trips to museum visits, could help to delay biological ageing, with an impact comparable to frequent exercise
Researchers analysed data from nearly 2,000 participants in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, which tracks adults aged 50 and over across England
Individuals completed questionnaires detailing how often they attended the cinema, theatre, concerts, or opera, as well as their visits to museums and art galleries
This information was used to create a cultural engagement score, ranging from zero to 15
Nurses subsequently assessed 10 physiological markers for each participant, including body mass index, grip strength, walking speed, and diastolic blood pressure
The findings, published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, suggest higher levels of cultural engagement are “significantly associated” with lower psychological ageing
The analysis found that those who took part in outings that included the likes of museums, galleries and the cinema, every few months, had a physiological age of 66.9 years, three years lower than those who did so less often
People with higher scores were also more likely to be women, be in paid employment and have better health conditions
Researchers said that promoting engagement with culture could be a “promising strategy to slow the pace of physiological ageing and support healthy ageing in older adults”
They added: “Cultural engagement is modifiable, and thus, it can serve as an effective intervention point for healthy longevity
“Notably, the impact can be comparable to frequent physical activity
“Increasing geographical and financial accessibility to cultural infrastructure and events would expand opportunities for frequent participation
“Community-based cultural activities may also foster greater community involvement
“For example, a 10-week museum programme that included curator talks, object handling and discussion, and arts activities improved emotional outcomes such as cheerfulness and feelings of encouragement among socially isolated older adults.”
Earlier this year, a study from academics from University College London (UCL) found evidence that arts and cultural engagement should be “recognised as a health-promoting behaviour in a similar way to exercise”
Researchers found that a variety of activities were seen to be useful including reading, listening to music or visiting a gallery or museum
This could because each activity has a different impact on physical, cognitive, emotional or social stimulation, they said
“These results demonstrate the health impact of the arts at a biological level,” said lead author Professor Daisy Fancourt, from UCL’s Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care
“They provide evidence for arts and cultural engagement to be recognised as a health-promoting behaviour in a similar way to exercise
“Our study also suggests that engaging in a variety of arts activities may be helpful
“This may be because each activity has different ‘ingredients’ that help health, such as physical, cognitive, emotional or social stimulation.”
