Global Consensus on Optimal Exercise For Longevity
Pasting @Luke Carlson's latest Friday Fit Tip here, that summarises Global consensus on optimal exercise recommendations for enhancing healthy longevity in older adults (ICFSR). If you are not subscribed to Luke's and Discover Strength's Friday Fit Tip, you should be - Subscribe Here Enter Luke... Earlier this year, an international collaboration of scientists published, in my opinion, the most important scientific paper in the field of health and exercise science in the last 15 years. Titled “Global consensus on optimal exercise recommendations for enhancing healthy longevity in older adults,” this paper represents the current state of the science on the role of exercise in healthy aging. Two key takeaways from this important paper: The Importance of Strength Training As we age, we aren’t simply called to be physically active. We have to perform the type of exercise that promotes healthy aging. To this end, as we age, we need to focus on resistance training. The authors state: “For example, anabolic exercises, such as Progressive Resistance Training, are vital for maintaining or enhancing functional capacity in older adults, particularly those who are frail or with conditions such as sarcopenia and osteoporosis, mobility impairment or those hospitalized or in residential care. This importance is underscored by the rapid loss of muscle mass that older adults experience during hospitalization or periods of illness, leading to weakened muscle strength/power and function, which in turn increases the risk of falls, disability, morbidity, and mortality. No medications currently enhance fitness, functional capacity or alleviate frailty.” The Knowledge Gap Our medical practitioners need to learn more about evidence-based exercise so they can prescribe the right type of exercise (as well as how much to do).