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Resistance Exercise—The Fountain of Youth
Some Compelling Reasons to Perform Resistance Exercise
As we age, we tend to get heavier, weaker, slower and more prone to injury, disability and chronic disease.
This decline in health has traditionally been viewed as one of the inevitable consequences of aging. However, many of the changes that we experience as we get older may not be attributed to aging itself. Instead, these changes are likely caused by the loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia) that typically accompanies aging. Luckily for us, behaviors that we are in control of can halt or reverse sarcopenia.
Our level of muscle mass and body fat appear to be the result of our total level of physical activity, not our age. There is subsequently no reason that we have to suffer from many of the undesirable “inevitable consequences” of aging.
Exercise—The Fountain of Youth
When most people think of exercise, they think of aerobic exercise like walking, jogging, swimming, bicycling, rowing and dancing. Aerobic exercise has been proven to significantly reduce the risk of developing both macrovascular and microvascular complications associated with diabetes. Aerobic exercise also improves insulin sensitivity, which is fundamental in the management of type 2 diabetes.
As good as it is, however, aerobic exercise will not prevent the age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass. Resistance exercise is needed to halt this.
What Is Resistance Exercise?
Lifting weights is the most common form of resistance exercise. This type of exercise involves the use of progressive resistance to increase one’s ability to exert or resist force. The resistance can come from free weights, weight machines, elastic tubing or even your own body weight.
Resistance exercise works your muscles at loads greater than they are accustomed to. When this happens, your muscles adapt by getting stronger and bigger.
It is now widely accepted that resistance training should be included as an important part of any overall fitness program. For those wishing to prevent or reverse sarcopenia, strength training is imperative. Adults who do not incorporate resistance exercise lose between five and seven pounds of muscle every decade.
What’s So Good About Muscle? Weight Loss
The ubiquitous struggle to lose weight can be aided by increased muscle mass. Skeletal muscle will increase your body’s energy requirements. The more muscle you have, the more calories your body will burn.
Any attempt at weight loss without concurrently performing resistance exercise will result in the loss of skeletal muscle. This is like killing the golden goose, and leaves you prone to yo-yo weight rebound. When you do rebound, you’ll have less muscle and more fat. Having less muscle means your body will burn even fewer calories. Dieting without resistance exercise is a vicious, futile circle.
The opposite, however, can also occur. Bodybuilders and strength athletes, despite having low levels of body fat, require a tremendous amount of calories (fuel) to maintain their superior muscle mass. Even when they’re resting or sleeping, their bodies continually consume more calories than those of us do with less muscle. They are the “gas guzzlers” of the human race.
Chronic dieters and aerobic athletes, on the other hand, get 50 miles to the gallon. It doesn’t take much fuel (calories) to fulfill their energy requirements and maintain their bodies. Having more muscle becomes a virtuous cycle. This is especially helpful in overcoming insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. Be a gas-guzzler!
Independence
Perhaps an even more compelling reason for improving your muscle mass and strength is the carryover effect it has on everyday life. Strength training enhances your ability to carry groceries, climb stairs and keep up with children or grandchildren. You will feel better and be able to do more when you are stronger. You can remain independent throughout your life.
Don’t Slow Down
Do not blindly accept the dogma that you must “slow down” and experience poor health as you age. Exercise can prevent or postpone many health problems and provide you with a better quality of life along the way.
Resistance training is essential, however, and it is too often overlooked. Too many people regard strength training as an unpleasant endeavor. Ironically, those who view it as such are usually the ones who could benefit the most from strength training.
The muscles you build and maintain with resistance training can help ensure that you will be lean, strong and agile and will help you to maintain your functional capacity and remain active.
Categories: Diabetes, Diabetes, Exercise, Inspiration, Insulin, Losing weight, Type 2 Issues, Weight Loss
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Comments
I liked article.... some good info
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