Can exercise slow the aging process?
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Dr. Dean Ornish answered:Some evidence indicates that moderate exercise may slow the aging process. According to Dr. William Evans, chief of the Human Physiology Laboratory at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University:
Most of the decline in physical functioning is caused not by aging but by lack of exercise . . . We think we shouldn’t exercise because we’re getting older. So what we have here is a self-fulfilling prophecy: we do get weak and frail and we assume it’s because we’re getting old. And this just isn’t true. . . . Aerobic capacity and percentage of body fat is related to time spent exercising, not to age.
Some evidence indicates that moderate exercise may slow the aging process. According to Dr. William Evans, chief of the Human Physiology Laboratory at the Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University: Most of the decline in physical... More -
Baptist Health South Florida answered:Research is showing that exercise -- from mild to rigorous -- affects the aging process in normal brains.
A Canadian study looked at the cognitive function and energy expenditure of a group of volunteers with an average age of almost 75. Some were sedentary couch potatoes; others did mild activities such as walking, gardening and cleaning; a smaller number did more exercise. The mildly active group did almost as well on cognitive function tests over two to five years, while the sedentary volunteers scored significantly worse over the years. Those who expended the most energy in physical activity showed virtually no decline in their memory or ability to think.
Another study published in the same journal found that women in their 70s with vascular disease, or at risk for it, had less cognitive decline over the years when they did mild exercise such as walking. The memory and thinking ability among the sedentary women declined more rapidly.Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulResearch is showing that exercise -- from mild to rigorous -- affects the aging process in normal brains. A Canadian study looked at the cognitive function and energy expenditure of a group of volunteers with an average age of almost 75.... More -
National Academy of Sports Medicine answered:Everyone ages, and nobody lives forever, however, exercise has been shown to slow the effects of aging. You won’t become younger age-wise, but you will feel healthy, be vibrant, and have a lower risk for disease – all attributes of youth.
Everyone ages, and nobody lives forever, however, exercise has been shown to slow the effects of aging. You won’t become younger age-wise, but you will feel healthy, be vibrant, and have a lower risk for disease – all attributes of youth. More -
Dr. Kathleen Hall answered:The natural aging process slows down all of the systems of the body, but exercise will keep you from slowing down or aging as fast. I have literally seen individuals who have never exercised begin practicing this root and it had transformed their lives. They find that they not only have more energy, but they are optimistic, strong, look and feel better, and have a new life they never could have imagined.
Get moving any way you can, in any direction you can, at any time you can. Exercise is truly the bread of life. Our bodies were created for movement.
Find out more about this book: A Life in Balance: Nourishing the Four Roots of True Happiness
The natural aging process slows down all of the systems of the body, but exercise will keep you from slowing down or aging as fast. I have literally seen individuals who have never exercised begin practicing this root and it had transformed... More
