Research into the Use of Exercise to Slow Aging is Not as Simple as One Might Think

One might naively think that studying the effects of exercise on human aging is fairly straightforward. This isn't the case, as illustrated by the authors of this commentary. Very little is simple when it comes to making use of existing epidemiological data, or trying to construct studies that shed light on the question of how exactly exercise interacts with aging. It seems very clear that exercise is a good thing, and that most of us should be undertaking more of it, but once down in the weeds, at the detail level, it is all too easy to find large gaps in present knowledge and contradictory or poorly designed studies. Preserving functional health and quality-of-life in old age is a major goal and global challenge in public health. The high rate of sedentary behavior that is characteristic of the older adult population exacerbates impairments of physiological and structural systems that are typically seen in the aging process. Achieving an understanding of the profound influence of physical activity on all aspects of health in old age is the driving force behind the emergence of "physical activity in old age" as a growing area of research. Accumulated evidence implies that being physically active and exercising is far superior to other optimal aging facilitators. Yet this area of research faces numerous constraints and obstacles. Compared to other age groups, old age is typified by increased heterogeneity, which complicates research and renders practice harder...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs