Why the Lack of Physical Activity Can Affect One’s Lifespan
Physical exercise has several beneficial effects on one’s health. In this section we will explore the science behind the benefits of exercise.
Effects on wellbeing and longevity:
Exercise in moderate amounts when cleared by your healthcare provider has beneficial effects on long-term health.
Long-term survival effects of exercise were shown in studies that compared the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) of athletes who engaged in regular exercise vs that of the standard population, and it was noted that the athletes had a 33% lower SMR.
Studies have shown that brisk walking and jogging for more than 7.5 hours a week was associated with an increased life expectancy.
The increase in life expectancy can range from 0.4-8 years with regular exercise.
Exercise in the long term, including endurance, resistance, and multimodal training can cause positive changes in our bodies that affect our lifespan and health.
Exercise’s effects on risk factors:
Regular physical exercise reduces the major risk factors linked with mortality, like Hypertension, Diabetes, Hyperlipidemia, Coronary heart disease, Cancers (colon, lung, endometrial, pancreatic), Stroke, Obesity, Insulin resistance, Stress, and Metabolic syndrome.
It is important to note that exercise helps increase our metabolic function and helps regulate weight. It is a well-known fact that obesity and overweight states are states of inflammation with the adipose or fatty tissue secreting harmful hormones that fuel chronic inflammation and chronic disease states.
Exercise also promotes healthy muscle tissue and bones that can help prevent falls. Healthy muscle plays a vital role in our metabolism, especially in conditions of glucose overload and insulin resistance like diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and obesity.
Exercise’s effects on hormones:
Regular, moderate exercise can have a positive effect on our endocrine system, helping recreate a youthful endocrine state.
Insulin - This hormone plays a pivotal role in glucose metabolism—with a sedentary lifestyle and overweight and obese states, there are high resting levels of insulin that lack sensitivity. This creates a state called insulin resistance. Regular exercise and weight control can play an important role in increasing insulin sensitivity and lowering resting insulin levels in the body. Aging is associated with increasing insulin levels and resistance, but exercise helps normalize the levels and increase the effectiveness of the insulin, thereby contributing to better glucose control and decreasing the sequelae caused by high sugar states.
Insulin like growth factor and Growth hormone - These hormones in experimental models are also positively influenced by exercise and help improve health and long-term wellbeing.
Having reviewed the above points, I’m sure you are now aware of the long-term effects of exercise on health and lifespan. It is important that you always consult with your physician before starting an exercise routine and build up slowly to allow time for your body to get used to your new routine. Stay consistent and committed to your health and as always, I wish that you live long and strong!
