Moderate physical activity improves health and prolongs life expectancy
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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A group of researchers at the University of Karolin (Stockholm) in the course of new research came to the conclusion that a walk in the park is much more useful for health than intensive work in a gym or fitness center.
Scientists from Sweden were able to prove that there is a simple, but quite effective method that will help prolong life and avoid a number of health problems. As it turned out, walking or usual standing helps to live for several years longer.
During the course of their research work, the scientists established that the sedentary lifestyle helps to shorten the telomeres - the end sections of the chromosomes.
Science knows that it is telomeres that are located at the ends of chromosomes that protect them from damage, reduce wear and sticking. Among experts, telomeres are known as a kind of biological clock of the human body. The longer the end of the tail of the chromosome, the younger the organism. Since the time when telomeres begin to shorten, the process of decreasing the body begins, which triggers the aging process.
In the course of their experiment, scientists examined about fifty people aged 65 and over. Each of the volunteers had problems with excess weight and they all preferred a sedentary lifestyle.
During the six months of the experiment, 25 participants needed to conduct their usual lifestyle, the rest needed to be regularly engaged in the gym. Throughout the time, scientists have observed participants from two groups, while noting the level of physical activity of volunteers.
Each of the participants had to keep a special diary in which to record the amount of time spent sitting or in the gym (depending on the group), as well as specialists took the readings of the pedometers.
Six months later, scientists came to the conclusion that regular physical activity strengthened the health of participants, but the decisive factor was precisely the time spent sitting. As it turned out, the less time was spent in the sitting position, the longer the telomeres were, and, consequently, the duration of life also increased.
This study of Swedish scientists once again confirms the harm of a sedentary lifestyle.
In earlier studies, experts have already established that a sedentary lifestyle leads to the development of heart failure and premature death, and a sedentary lifestyle increases the likelihood of oncological diseases.
However, excessive physical activity can also have a negative impact on health and longevity. For example, a study of scientists from Pennsylvania showed that long runs are not the best way to affect health. According to experts, excessive physical activity contributes to the rapid deterioration of the body, which eventually leads to premature death.
Experts argue that running is the best way to prevent a number of diseases and maintain a good shape, but you do not need to run more than 2-3 times a week, and you should schedule time so that the training takes no more than 2.5 hours per week .
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