The Benefits of Middle-Aged Fitness
Currently, many Americans are living longer than ever before. In
fact, the average life expectancy in America has now expanded beyond the age of
78 years old, which is up from under 74 back in 1980. Unfortunately, this does
not mean that Americans are living better or healthier. Recent research has
shown that along with the rising life expectancy, Americans are also
experiencing an increase in chronic illnesses such as cancer, heart disease and
diabetes. Additionally, these diseases are especially prominent in younger
people, therefore making them not only a problem associated with the elderly.
For many people, this means that they will be living longer but with a higher rate of chronic diseases that will have a significant impact upon their quality of life. While this truth seems sad, recent research points to the idea that this does not have to be anyone’s reality. By taking the necessary steps during middle age to plan for ways to ward off chronic diseases, a person can begin to make changes that will increase their state of health. Additionally, beginning an exercise program during middle age can offer significant benefits for people who have not previously followed an exercise program.
In a study that was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, the details of a group of middle-aged women were gathered from their medical records to find out the impact of exercise on a person’s health as they age. At the beginning of the study, each person was set into a group based upon their performance on a physical fitness test. Then, their medical records were studied after a decade in order to find out how exercise would affect a person’s overall health over a long period of time.
The results of this study showed that the least fit of the people in the study also were the most likely to have experienced chronic illnesses earlier in the aging process. Some of these diseases included Alzheimer’s, lung cancer and heart disease. While the more fit adults who participated in the study did eventually experience these diseases, they occurred at lower rates and at a higher age level than the least fit group. Additionally, the fittest group of people in the study only developed these chronic diseases in the last five years or so of their lives.
While some people may find it upsetting that everyone in the study did eventually fall ill, researchers stress the point that being in good physical shape did reduce the amount of time that people were actually sick. This shows that physical activity in the middle-aged is a primary factor in how many years a person will experience the best quality of life. Although aging is a complicated process that involves many factors, it is clear that a person’s efforts to live a healthy life that includes exercise can offer dramatic benefits that are associated with less chronic diseases later in life. Treatment centers are available to those is need struggling with body image, eating disorders and obesity issues.
For many people, this means that they will be living longer but with a higher rate of chronic diseases that will have a significant impact upon their quality of life. While this truth seems sad, recent research points to the idea that this does not have to be anyone’s reality. By taking the necessary steps during middle age to plan for ways to ward off chronic diseases, a person can begin to make changes that will increase their state of health. Additionally, beginning an exercise program during middle age can offer significant benefits for people who have not previously followed an exercise program.
In a study that was published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, the details of a group of middle-aged women were gathered from their medical records to find out the impact of exercise on a person’s health as they age. At the beginning of the study, each person was set into a group based upon their performance on a physical fitness test. Then, their medical records were studied after a decade in order to find out how exercise would affect a person’s overall health over a long period of time.
The results of this study showed that the least fit of the people in the study also were the most likely to have experienced chronic illnesses earlier in the aging process. Some of these diseases included Alzheimer’s, lung cancer and heart disease. While the more fit adults who participated in the study did eventually experience these diseases, they occurred at lower rates and at a higher age level than the least fit group. Additionally, the fittest group of people in the study only developed these chronic diseases in the last five years or so of their lives.
While some people may find it upsetting that everyone in the study did eventually fall ill, researchers stress the point that being in good physical shape did reduce the amount of time that people were actually sick. This shows that physical activity in the middle-aged is a primary factor in how many years a person will experience the best quality of life. Although aging is a complicated process that involves many factors, it is clear that a person’s efforts to live a healthy life that includes exercise can offer dramatic benefits that are associated with less chronic diseases later in life. Treatment centers are available to those is need struggling with body image, eating disorders and obesity issues.
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