Muscle Strengthening Activities in Later Life Correlate with Reduced Mortality

Past studies have demonstrated reduced mortality as a result of strength training in older individuals. Muscle tissue is metabolically active, involved in a range of processes in the body, such as insulin metabolism and control of inflammation. Here this review paper, researchers note the correlation between activities that strengthen muscle and lower mortality in epidemiological data. It is worth thinking about for those of us tempted to let the exercise schedule lapse as life moves on. Physical inactivity is a global public health problem. Regular engagement in muscle-strengthening activities (eg, resistance training) increases or preserves skeletal muscle strength, which has been shown to be inversely associated with mortality and the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer. Therefore, promoting muscle-strengthening activities may help in reducing the risk of premature death and NCDs. Compared with aerobic activities, muscle-strengthening activities have been less frequently investigated in terms of their influence on the prevention of premature death and NCDs. Although these findings suggested a favourable influence of muscle-strengthening activities on the risk of NCDs and mortality, the dose-response association was not quantified. We therefore conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies on muscle-strengthening activities and the risk of mortality and NCDs among adults age...
Source: Fight Aging! - Category: Research Authors: Tags: Daily News Source Type: blogs