Maintain strength and lean muscle if you would like to live longer and prevent life-threatening diseases. An 18-year-long study published in the British Medical Journal found that above average muscle strength was associated with significantly lower death rates from cancer, heart disease, and all causes.
Strong muscles promote metabolic health, increase mobility, allow for efficient processing of fats, carbs, and proteins, help to better regulate blood flow, and produce greater levels of muscle growth factors. This, in turn, leads to enhanced vigor, vitality, and sexual performance.
The many beneficial effects of weight training have been strongly linked to a reduced risk of disease and increased longevity.
Resistance training may be the absolute most important form of exercise for older adults because it increases strength and muscle mass. On average, people lose about 20% of their muscle mass between the ages of 40 and 60. Aging, inactivity, poor nutrition, and obesity are all factors that promote this deterioration that will eventually lead to diseases and death.
Furthermore, the obesity epidemic that is taking over our country has led to an increased risk of early death from heart disease, cancer, stroke, respiratory, and metabolic conditions. Muscle mass is the most important controllable factor we can use to increase our metabolic rate and fight obesity. Weight training has been shown to add lean muscle mass, make it easier to lose weight, and maintain weight lost.
There is sufficient evidence to link greater muscle strength with increased longevity. Simply put, stronger men and women will live longer!
To enjoy a longer, healthier, and happier life – free of disease and immobility – make sure you incorporate weight training into your fitness regimen.
I’d recommend hitting all major muscle groups 2 to 3 times weekly, focusing on multi-joint movements that will be beneficial in everyday life. If you would like professional assistance in creating an appropriate weight training routine, please consult http://wellnessengine.com/health_is_wealth and I’d be happy to help via my online personal training program.
Tags: diet, exercise, fitness, health, nutrition, personal trainer, personal training, weight training
January 4, 2009 at 7:48 pm |
Great article! Living longer’s always been an interest for me.
January 4, 2009 at 7:55 pm |
Thank you for the positive feedback! Also, I wanted to commend you on the excellent website…very informative and useful! Here’s to a strong and healthy life!!