Physical exercise is well known to keep people healthy and independent as they get older, however new research suggests the social outings are very important too. It is no surprise therefore why bingo has been a favourite past time for British people as they get older and it is likely gain further popularity as people take their health more seriously.

An extensive study involving 954 people identified those that regularly engaged in social activities during early retirement were twice as likely to be independent by the time they reach their early 80s.

A dementia expert at Rush University Medical Centre in Chicago, Bryan James, who also oversaw the project commented: "Social activity has long been recognized as an essential component of healthy aging, but now we have strong evidence that it is also related to better everyday functioning and less disability in old age.

"The findings are exciting because social activity is potentially a risk factor that can be modified to help older adults avoid the burdens of disability."

The programme was conducted over a number of years and included a variety of healthy volunteers. At the start of the program they were asked a series of questions, including how often they went to restaurants, sporting events, played bingo, went on day trips and attended religious services.

As the participants got into their 80s each participant was assessed to see how many essential daily activities such as dressing and bathing themselves, as well as more onerous tasks like walking half a mile and doing heavy housework.

The volunteers that were involved in the most social activities such as bingo were twice as likely to be able to carryout daily routines in their early 80s without assistance. James believes that it is not just the physical exercise associated with the social activities that is important, but also the process of interacting with people that could reinforce the brain's neural networks involved in controlling the body.

So there you have bingo might just be the key to keeping you independent as you get older.