COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) -- A new USC fitness study shows men who maintain or improve activity can help overall fitness levels, even if they're not shedding the pounds.
Dr. Duck-chul Lee and Dr. Steven N. Blair of USC's Arnold School of Public Health, led the study.
They studied over 14,000 men, averaging the age of 44 over a 6 year time period.
During that time they monitored their fitness levels and body mass index.
Then they followed up with them for another 11 years to see how these factors impacted their long term health.
According to Dr. Lee the men who didn't maintain their fitness levels were associated with a higher risk of mortality, although their weight may not have fluctuated.
Lee then said, "Among men who became active, about 80% of them maintained or increased their fitness level."
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