Researchers have found that exercising and maintaining muscle strength is just as important as exercise and other aerobic activities, and may contribute to longevity and health.
The “Washington Post” newspaper stated in a lengthy report that exercises that contribute to strengthening muscles were added to the global recommendations for 2010 related to physical activity to maintain health.
In new research including 16 studies and data from more than 1.5 million people, muscle-strengthening activities were associated with a nearly 20 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, lung cancer, and all-cause mortality.
“Strength training provides a range of health benefits independent of other exercise,” said Daniel McDonough, a researcher at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and co-author of a large study that looked at the effect of aerobic and muscular exercise on mortality. bone and reduce the risk of muscular disease.
It is reported that running, swimming, playing football and other aerobic exercises have a significant impact on cardiovascular health, but they do not do much for muscle mass or strength in general, according to the newspaper.
Other studies have found that strength training improves the body’s response to insulin, and thus leads to better control of blood sugar after meals, which means a reduced risk of developing diabetes or insulin resistance, conditions that can damage the heart and blood vessels.
The newspaper pointed out that with age, muscles weaken, and thus their strengthening contributes to combating aging and lethargy and helps stimulate physical activity, and this also reduces the risk of chronic diseases resulting from disability and lack of activity.
It appears that muscle strength exercises have positive effects on brain health and function, and may reduce the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, according to the newspaper, quoting experts.
The World Health Organization says physical inactivity is a major risk factor for deaths from noncommunicable diseases.
And the risk of death increases by between 20 and 30 percent in people who do not do enough physical activity compared to people who do enough physical activity.
High rates of physical inactivity negatively affect health systems, the environment, economic development, the well-being of communities and the quality of life.
The decline in physical activity is partly attributed to inactivity during leisure time and lack of movement at work and at home.
Likewise, the increased use of “inactive” modes of transportation also contributes to insufficient physical activity.
According to WHO, evidence shows that an increase in sedentary behaviors is associated with the following poor health outcomes:
In children and adolescents: increased obesity (overweight) – impairment of cardio-metabolic health, fitness and behavioral/social behavior – reduced sleep time.
In adults: all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, and cancer – incidence of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes.