It’s a universally known fact that exercise is crucial to living a long and healthy life. Exercise is not just a tool to make you slim and attractive; it also saves you from an early grave. In fact, many of the chronic diseases that are globally common in our society are a result of an unhealthy lifestyle and lack of exercise. There are countless researches that have proven the importance of exercise in the prevention of numerous obesity-related disabilities.
With increasing age, people suffer from increasing impairments in their daily activities. It’s a common belief that a 70-year-old man is unable to perform with the same vigor and energy as a man in his 30s or 40s. However, a recently done study has proven this to be untrue. A person in their late life who has exercised regularly for decades has an equally functioning heart, lungs, and muscles of healthy people who are more than 30 years younger than them. If you take into account the number of obese young adults, it can be said that an older individual who exercises regularly is healthier than their decades younger generations. Not only will they live longer, but they will also live a more comfortable and healthier life of high life quality.
A study at Human Performance Laboratory at Ball State University
In a study at the Human Performance Laboratory at Ball State University, exercise physiologist Scott Trappe has made some exciting findings. The study with 70 participants had 3 groups; the first group included 75-year-old people who had cardio exercises daily, the second group comprised of 75-year-old people who had low to moderate levels of exercise, and the third group consisted of 25-year-olds who exercised with the same frequency as the first group.
Participants
An excellent example of this is 74-year-old Susan Magrath, an ex-nurse practitioner living in Muncie, Ind. For more than 45 years, she has made running a part of her daily routine. This outdoor activity that started as a habit has become addictive to Magrath. She has stated” It’s just such a release, just a wonderful release,” Instead of finding running a tedious chore, she feels it is a contemplative meditative process for her. This release she has described is most likely the release of HGH, endorphins, and adrenaline that is incredible for your heart and vital organs. This release of hormones is also a refreshing way to start the day. It will keep you alert and your body heated enough to burn calories throughout the day. Not to forget, endorphins are a known stimulant to reduce the risk of depression.
Result
The study examined the VO2 max i.e. the amount of oxygen uptake during maximal indoor cycling effort, muscle enzymes, and the aerobic profile of the participant’s muscles via a biopsy. VO2 reduces by 10% with each decade after age 30. Reduced value of VO2 max also correlates directly with many chronic diseases. The study found lifelong exercisers had skeletal muscle enzymes and a cardiovascular system with VO2 max levels of people 30 years younger.
Trappe has concluded that just 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day may be the key to a significantly healthier life.
References
Exercise Wins: Fit Seniors Can Have Hearts That Look 30 Years Younger
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