At 70, Dr. Eric Topol, American cardiologist and geneticist, looked at the factors to age without losing in quality of life. After multiple research, he summed up his discoveries in his latest work baptized Super agers: an Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity. And its observation is final: physical activity plays a decisive role in longevity.
Physical activity has a concrete effect on the aging of the body
“”Physical activity is the only habit of life which shows a concrete effect on bodily aging. Other factors, such as food and social ties, are also important. But physical activity seems crucial to me“He believes.
Concretely, this means that it is absolutely necessary to fight against sedentary lifestyle to preserve your health with age. Two types of physical activities seem particularly effective according to him: muscle work in resistance (TMR) and gripping force exercises.
“We no longer count the health benefits of the regular practice of a sport”
Vincent Olive, sports coach interviewed for a previous subject, recalled how complete and beneficial muscle strengthening is.
“We can define muscle strengthening as the set of techniques and processes to increase physical qualities, namely strength, flexibility, endurance, explosiveness, power and mobility”.
He also insisted on the global benefits of physical activity. “”There is no longer the health benefits of the regular practice of a sport: decrease in stress, better sleep with a decrease in sleep disorders, limitation of injury risk, prevention of cardiovascular disorders, reduction in cancer risks … “. Profits that take even more importance with age, when the body becomes more vulnerable to certain disorders.
As they get older, muscle mass naturally decreases
In addition to this first phenomenon, let us recall that aging is accompanied by a phenomenon called sarcopenia, which corresponds to a progressive loss of muscle mass.
Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency doctor, explains the consequences.
“As you get older, muscle mass decreases naturally, a phenomenon called sarcopenia, which can cause loss of strength, reduced mobility and increased risk of falls and fractures. Working your muscles allows you to counter these effects by maintaining good posture, improving balance and supporting the joints”.
Muscle work in resistance (TMR) is thus particularly recommended to preserve strength and mobility. Finally, the gripping force exercises – such as the test of the tennis ball – complete this approach. They mainly mobilize the upper body and consist in grabbing and maintaining an object firmly (dumbbells, bottle, elastic, etc.). Small simple gestures, which have powerful effects to maintain autonomy and vitality.