Did You Know That Weight Training Actually Slows Aging?
November 2022
Sadly, as we get older, things just don’t seem to work as well. Back pain, sore knees and more become more common. It’s because there’s a breakdown between your muscles and your nerves – and the cure could be weight training!
Here’s what happens.
After around 35, you start to lose muscle mass.
This can’t be stopped – it’s a natural part of aging.
Scientists thought that it was due to a lack of communication between muscles and nerves, but they haven’t been able to prove it – until now.
A study from the University of Copenhagen shows that working with weights makes the connections between nerves and muscles stronger, and stronger connections mean your body functions better.
Although you can’t stop the loss of muscle mass as you age, you CAN slow down that loss by using weights as part of your exercise routines.
What Did the Study Measure?
It involved 28 healthy, elderly men (average age 72). They did a 16-week course of fairly intensive weight lifting training involving leg presses, leg extensions, leg curls, and two upper arm exercises, 3 times each week.
A control group of 20 healthy, elderly men used no weights during the test period, and the difference was quite significant between them and the men who trained with weights.
The study shows that even if you begin weight training late in life, you can still make a difference.
Of course, the sooner you start, the better, but it’s never too late – even if you are 65 or 70 years old, your body can still benefit from heavy weight training.
Related – 3 things in your home that you can use as weights
What about Women and Weight Training?
Sadly, a lot of research is carried out on men rather than women.
However, older women, who are more prone to osteoporosis, benefit from resistance (weight) training just as much as men do.
Related – osteoporosis and turmeric
We’re Living Longer
As many populations around the world continue to live longer and longer, we need to be able to live well and have a good quality of life.
And that includes keeping muscles working as well as possible.
Please Share this post with your friends and family – it’s easy – sharing buttons below and right!
Do you use weights? Let me know in the comments below.
Warm regards,
P.S. Look younger – this week – withOUT spending a fortune! Click here for Age Better now!
