How does exercise fight the ageing process?

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How does exercise fight the ageing process?

As you grow older, exercise has an important role to play in providing a higher quality of life.  As both a Strength and Conditioning Coach and an Exercise Scientist, my passion has grown over the past 10 years especially in improving the life quality of people over 40 years of age.

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If you are 40 and over, and not exercising regularly, it is always a good time to start.  The difference you can make to the way you feel about physical tasks, improvements in overall mental health are sometimes difficult to explain, as many people talk about the way they feel after 8 weeks of exercise as the most important, beneficial part about doing exercise.

Exercise can come in different forms.  But, something is nearly always better than nothing.  It is for you and no-one else. You do not have to please anyone with what you do, which is great!

So, here are 10 important reasons you could consider starting to exercise!  If you would like help getting started, I can be contacted on glenn@vectorhealth.com.au where we can make a time to discuss how we can help you experience the benefits of structured exercise.

Improves Cardiovascular Health: Regular physical activity reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases by improving heart function and circulation, lowering blood pressure, and reducing cholesterol levels .
Enhances Muscle Mass and Strength: Exercise, particularly resistance training, helps preserve muscle mass and strength, which decline with age. This can help prevent sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass .
Boosts Bone Density: Weight-bearing exercises stimulate bone formation and slow the progression of bone density loss, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures .

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Improves Immune Function: Moderate exercise can boost the immune system, enhancing the body’s ability to fight infections and diseases .
Enhances Mental Health: Exercise releases endorphins and reduces levels of stress hormones, contributing to better mental health and lower rates of depression and anxiety in older adults .
Promotes Mitochondrial Health: Physical activity enhances mitochondrial function and biogenesis, which are crucial for energy production and cellular health, thereby combating age-related declines in energy levels .
Extends Lifespan: Regular physical activity is associated with increased longevity and reduced mortality rates, likely due to its comprehensive benefits on overall health.

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Improves Metabolic Function: Exercise enhances insulin sensitivity, reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, and helps maintain healthy body weight, which are critical for metabolic health as we age .
Supports Brain Health: Physical activity promotes neurogenesis and improves cognitive function, potentially delaying the onset of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease .
Reduces Inflammation: Regular exercise has anti-inflammatory effects, which can help mitigate chronic inflammation associated with aging and various diseases .

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References

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