Newlyweds apparently are getting a lot of exercise -- and not just in the bedroom. According to a recent Stanford study, both men and women experience a surge in physical activity during the first few years of marriage. But engaged couples report a "precipitous drop" in exercise, possibly due to pre-wedding jitters.
The 10-year study, published last fall in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine, evaluated 302 women and 256 men between the ages of 25 and 75. Those who married during that time reported "significant positive changes" in physical activity. The effect was temporary, though. After 10 years, almost all the participants had noticed a small but significant decline in their exercise levels.
The data reveal some intriguing clues about the effects of lifestyle on physical health, says Abby King, an associate professor in Stanford's department of health research and policy. Among them:
- People on the dating circuit are likely to keep up with physical activity, while those planning for marriage tend to slack off.
- People probably increase physical activity more after they wed because spouses tend to support exercise.
The findings suggest that marriage may trigger natural changes in physical activity, King writes. If so, it provides a "window of opportunity" for health professionals to promote a lifetime of fitness.
