Highlights
● In a recent study, middle-aged endurance athletes had improved blood pressure and more elastic arteries.
● These health indicators are linked to lower risks for cardiovascular disease.
● It’s never too late to start a fitness routine, since other recent research has shown extra benefits for individuals who continue or begin exercising in midlife.
According to the Journal of Applied Physiology, middle-aged endurance athletes have much reduced cardiovascular risk than those of the same age who are sedentary. Higher arterial flexibility and better blood pressure management are the main causes of this finding.
The second benefit is that normal blood flow is made possible by the smooth muscle cells that make up the connective tissue layers in arteries remaining healthy and supple. Atherosclerosis, often known as “hardening of the arteries,” is the term used to describe the disease in which these cells start to deteriorate.
Concerning the Study
Researchers examined three groups in the study. 20 athletes between the ages of 45 and 64 with at least ten years of aerobic training, 20 athletes under the age of 45, and 20 middle-aged sedentary persons made up these groups. People in the first two groups regularly engaged in moderate-to-vigorous sports like cycling, swimming, or running.
Middle age is a crucial moment when people begin to develop vascular risk factors, which ultimately raises the chance of stroke and dementia. Therefore, we believe that our findings are crucial for preventing these chronic age-related disorders.
Never too late
The benefits of athletes with at least ten years of aerobic training may have been highlighted in the most recent study, but it is never too late to begin a fitness programme, regardless of your age.
Previous studies have suggested that arterial stiffness may be reversible, which could lower blood pressure and lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. According to another study, exercise can lower that risk level by also enhancing heart health-related factors like blood sugar control, cholesterol, triglycerides, and waist circumference.
Especially as women approach menopause, it’s probable that you’ll need to significantly increase your physical activity. But it’s also crucial to emphasise the role that exercise plays in the early prevention of cardiovascular disease and hypertension, both of which become more prevalent as we age.
Wave Effect
Consistent exercise in middle age and beyond has been demonstrated to provide a variety of other benefits in addition to those for the cardiovascular system. These include a decreased incidence of anxiety and depression, enhanced cognitive function, increased mobility and balance, and preservation of bone and muscle mass.
Author of Return to Center:
Strength Training to Realign the Body, Recover from Pain, and Achieve Optimal Performance, regular strength-testing activities can be crucial for maintaining and regaining strength as you age.
The trick is to view exercise as being crucial to healthy ageing. By doing this, you lower your chance of health problems while also maintaining your strength and vitality as the years pass.
