Originally published August 15 2005
Exercise is an important factor for staying healthy into old age
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
A new study shows that improving exercise technique can help the elderly stay strong and healthy, as well as stave off afflictions like osteoporosis.
According to studies conducted on strength and muscle in the elderly, providing assistance on daily tasks and chores may actually be prematurely promoting frailness and weakness in our aged loved ones.
Results of previous studies led experts to two fairly distinct conclusions: with age, less strength can be gained from weight lifting and that any strength gained by the elderly through dedicated weight lifting exercises or other activities was the result of improved technique, rather than muscle growth.
As the study concentrated on older participants, it indicated that a loss of approximately 10 percent in muscle mass was common by age 50 with a corresponding strength reduction (approximately 15 percent).
It was these types of studies that led researchers to come to the previous conclusions.
But later studies, conducted under slightly different conditions, now show that these earlier conclusions may not necessarily reflect the body's true capabilities.
It became evident from these results that an extensive exercise program would need to be an essential and integral part of any planned extended space travel.
These types of studies therefore led researchers to redirect their line of thinking when considering the fitness requirements of our elderly.
The indications were that muscle loss could be more of a function of inactivity rather than the aging process.
High intensity resistance training was an integral and extensively used element throughout the later programme.
It leads to weakened bone strength and is the causal factor in many bone fractures as a result of bone breakdown in old people.
To put these results into perspective, this rather small test group indicated multiple benefits for those who undertook the high intensity training.
An increase in stability and mobility, mainly due to the increase in strength, also assists in avoiding falls _ a common problem in the elderly, which may often lead to other related injuries.
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