In a new paper, researchers suggest that resistance training is vital to improving older people’s health and longevity.
It should be part of their daily routine.
The statement was reported by a team from the University of Michigan.
When people get older, they may experience a variety of biological changes that can contribute to decreases in skeletal muscle mass, strength, and function.
Such losses decrease mobility and increase the risk of catastrophic events.
Strength and resistance training can provide many health benefits and help people deal with the problems.
For example, one study found that strength training could improve the health of people who are 65 years and older.
It can help improve blood values, muscle strength, and mental health. The benefits exist even when older people just do training once a week.
The current statement provides evidence-based recommendations for successful resistance training, or exercise focused on building muscle endurance, programs for older adults.
The team in the statement discussed the program design, physiological adaptations, functional benefits, and considerations for frailty, sarcopenia and other chronic diseases.
It also includes suggestions on training types and amounts of repetitions and intensities, patient groups that will need adaptations in training, and how training programs can be adapted for older adults with disabilities.
The team says too few of older Americans participate in resistance training, largely because of fear, confusion and a lack of consensus to guide implementation.
This consensus statement may have a positive impact on empowering healthier aging.
The lead author of the paper is Maren Fragala, Ph.D., director of scientific affairs at Quest Diagnostics.
The study is published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.
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