A Cardio Workout – The Ultimate Anti-Aging Exercise (As Backed by Science!)
Lucille Ball once said, “The secret of staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.”
What if you didn’t have to lie about your age? Is there a scientifically proven way to turn back the clock? According to a study from the Journal of Applied Physiology, a cardio workout is the key to staying young.
The study results revealed that the muscles of active 70-year-olds were nearly identical to those of active 40-year-olds. Even more astonishing, researchers concluded that these active elderly individuals were biologically 30 years younger!
But how is this possible?
Could Cardio Workouts Be the Fountain of Youth?
Researchers conducted an examination of the effects of lifelong exercise by comparing people in their 70s (who exercised approximately five days a week) to a younger group and a sedentary group of people their own age.
For the study, participants utilized an indoor bike and their maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) during intense exercise was measured to gauge their cardiovascular health.
VO2 max diminishes by around 10 percent every decade after age 30, and this decline is associated with a heightened risk of disease and mortality. Additionally, participants underwent a muscle biopsy to assess aerobic enzyme activity and capillary function.
The male participants were divided into a performance group, focused on competition, and a fitness group, focused solely on exercise.
Is Cardio Workout Truly Anti-Aging? The Study Findings
It was found that regardless of age, integrating a cardio workout into one’s exercise routine can preserve the body’s biological youthfulness over time.
The performance group displayed better metrics in certain areas compared to the fitness group, with cardiovascular capacity being one of them.
However, metrics such as muscle health and capillary functionality for enhanced blood flow were similar between both groups, showing that higher intensity training didn’t necessarily impact aerobic endurance.
It turns out that the more physically active we are, the slower our bodies age.
Scott Trappe, the leader of the research team at Ball State University, conveyed, “‘Exercise wins’ is the take-home message. We saw that people who exercise regularly year after year have better overall health. These 75-year-olds, both men and women, have similar cardiovascular health to a 40- to 45-year-old.”
The Bottom Line on Anti-Aging Exercise and Cardio Workouts
If you’re 30, but lead a sedentary lifestyle, your body may feel much older. On the other hand, being 70 doesn’t necessarily equate to being biologically 70 years old. Science has now illuminated the fact that the more physically active we are, the slower our bodies age.
To lead a long and healthy life, dedicate 30 to 60 minutes each day to exercise, specifically incorporating a 30- to 45-minute cardio workout, which can truly make a difference.
Disclaimer: The information provided herein is not intended to treat or diagnose. The views expressed are those of the author and should be attributed solely to the author. For medical queries, please consult your healthcare provider.
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