A new study indicates that when women take part in strength training exercise, they tend to live longer lives.
That’s what the research coming out of Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles, California, says.
The study looked at about 400,000 women. Only one in five of those involved in the study did any type of strength training. However, the study indicated that the women who did this saw a number of benefits.
The biggest benefit? This population saw a decreased rate of mortality due to cardiovascular illness of about 30 percent. Overall, strength training reduced the risk of premature death by 24 percent in women and 18 percent in men.
Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in the U.S. Although we typically think about endurance exercise as the best form of exercise to reduce this risk, strength training might be just as effective. And strength training doesn’t need to involve lifting weights, although this is the image that most people probably have when they hear the phrase. Resistance exercises can also benefit people. Weights are not needed for this, but are one way to achieve the same results. Things like brisk walking can also count as strength training.
There are a lot of different exercise routines out there that involve building strength. Before you start anything new, it’s important to speak with a doctor so that you are staying safe and getting the most out of your exercise.
In general, strength training has a lot of other benefits, too. Adding more muscle mass can help prevent injuries in the event that a fall or another kind of accident does occur. It increases muscle strength and endurance. This can help to improve balance, which can prevent falls from occurring in the first place.
Strength training doesn’t just strengthen muscle. It also helps by improving bone density to prevent osteoporosis. It helps to boost metabolism for healthier weight management, enhances body composition by reducing fat and increasing lean muscle mass, improving joint health and flexibility.
Mentally, strengthening exercises improves mood, reduces anxiety and depression symptoms, and can help boost self-esteem. Strength training also lowers the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
The team published their findings in The Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Interestingly, the study found that both men and women benefitted from exercise. However, women do not need to exercise nearly as much as men do to start seeing benefits from it.
Strength training is just one piece of a much bigger puzzle. Do you know what pieces you and your family need to make the senior years a little bit better? If you’re unsure of where to start, please feel free to get in touch with us. One of our professional caregivers would be happy to talk more with you about senior care and how it can help enhance the quality of life that you experience as you age. Our consultation sessions are completely free and come with no obligation. The hope is to help get you pointed in the right direction. Give us a call to get started.
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