WEDNESDAY, April 9 (HealthDay News) -- A person who maintains
aerobic fitness may delay biological aging by up to 12 years, a new
analysis shows.
Jogging and other types of aerobic exercise improve the body's
oxygen consumption and its use in generating energy (metabolism).
However, a steady decline in maximal aerobic power begins in middle
age, decreasing about 5 ml/ (kg. min) every decade, according to
the information in the analysis.
When maximal aerobic power falls below about 18 ml in men and 15
ml in women, it becomes difficult to do any activity without
experiencing major fatigue. A typical 60-year-old sedentary man has
a maximal aerobic power of about 25 ml, nearly half of what it was
at age 20.
But research shows that a long period of relatively
high-intensity aerobic exercise can increase maximal aerobic power
by 25 percent (about 6 ml), which equals 10 to 12 biological
years.
The analysis was published online in the
British Journal of Sports Medicine.
"There seems good evidence that the conservation of maximal
oxygen intake increases the likelihood that the healthy elderly
person will retain functional independence," said study author Dr.
Roy Shephard, of the Faculty of Physical Education and Health and
Department of Public Health Sciences, at the University of Toronto
in Canada.
Aerobic exercise also reduces the risk of serious disease and
promotes faster recovery after injury or illness. Additionally, it
helps maintain muscle power, balance and coordination, which
reduces the risk of falls.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more
about
healthy aging for
older adults.
