When we are young we cannot wait to grow old. When we are old we want to reclaim back our youthful days. Although it is impossible to go back in time, recent research has found out that regular exercise slows down the aging process. Hippocrates in 400 BC said that regular exercise is man’s best medicine. The modern world has forgotten this message. We are becoming more sedentary and inactive with every passing day.
Regular Exercise Keeps You Young At Heart.
A recent study assessed 125 amateur cyclists who were over 55 years. The participants went through some tests in the lab. They were compared with people who did not exercise regularly. This second group were 75 healthy people aged 57 to 80 and, young adults 20 to 36 years. The study found that loss of muscle mass and strength did not happen to people who exercise regularly. The body fat and cholesterol level did not increase, and their testosterone levels remained high. Many of them overcome ‘male menopause’.
Regular Exercise Keeps Aging Diseases At Bay.
This study also found out that people who are active lived healthier and longer. There is an assumption that that aging makes people frail. Old age and disease are not synonymous. Habitually exercise will help you reduce the risk of cardio problems that come with old age. Regular exercise improves HDL (good cholesterol), the kind that protects our hearts from cardiovascular disease.
Heart disease is the leading killer of men worldwide. Physical activity omproves many cardiac risk factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and stress), it has a powerful protective influence on heart attacks. Men who exercise regularly are 39% less likely to suffer heart attacks than those who do not exercise.
Different Types Of Exercise Helps With Aging.
The four types of exercises will help you slow down the aging process.
Endurance/ Aerobic Training.
This is one of the best way to improve cardiovascular functions. These kinds of exercises keep heart muscle supple and arteries flexible. Cardio helps lower blood pressure. Improving your endurance is one of the best ways to protect your metabolism from the effects of aging. Aerobic exercise reduces body fat, improves sleep, and boosts mood.
Strength / Resistance Training.
Resistance training will help you age slower. This training enhances muscle mass and strength and preserves bone calcium. A study found that lifting weights for less than an hour each week might reduce the risk for heart or stroke by 40 to 70%. Resistance training does not need expensive equipment to be effective. Bodyweight workouts such as push-ups, squats, and sit-ups are another way to accomplish resistance training
Flexibility Training.
This type of training will keep you flexible as you get older. Stretch exercises are perfect to warm up before and cool down after workouts. Yoga and Pilates can also help with flexibility training. Stretching will develop and maintain strength, increased circulation, and blood flow to provide a greater quality of life and healthy aging. Making stretching a part of your workouts will help you to manage low back pain, reduce the risk of falling, and improving your posture.
Balance Training.
Balance exercises will reverse the common effects of aging. People will be able to move gracefully, avoid injuries, and prevent falls (this affects many elderly people). Balance exercises will help you improve your ability to control and stabilize your body’s position as you grow older.
Our bodies need to be moving for them to ‘stay’ young. Regular exercise will delay many changes of aging. Our old age does not have to be filled with aches and pains from our muscles and joints. We can age gracefully if we make exercise a lifestyle. Regular exercise will help you age slower. People who exercise regularly will live healthy lives. Men who exercise regularly can gain about two hours of life expectancy for each hour of exercise. When you are older, you will not be wishing for the good ole’ days anymore. Regular exercise will help you stay healthy and vibrant during your old age!