Aerobic exercise helps longevity
- wjpetesutton
- 10 minutes ago
- 3 min read
I often talk about the nine exercises I do regularly to maintain my good health and overall fitness. I continue to do all nine with always a special emphasis on the aerobics. I’ve been doing this regularly for a really long time -- I started in my 30s. I’m 92 now, and I’m still doing a version of them.
High aerobic fitness is associated with increased longevity. It may also give you a springier step, or make going upstairs easier, or maybe your complexion has suddenly improved, lots of little things. It can improve heart health, burn fat and calories, help your brain, and lift your mood.
There have been interruptions for sickness, travel, business or something else, but I always come back and resume my routine. I recall running around the Queen’s Park Savannah (2.2 miles) in Port of Spain, Trinidad and more than once wondering what I’d be doing at age 85. I was about 60 at the time and 85 seemed light years away. I actually remember wondering if I would even live that long. As it has turned out I have, and I’m still exercising regularly. Maybe my regular exercising is working, I wonder? It’s a habit now so I keep on anyway.
I think too, that actually wanting to live longer could be an incentive and I do want to live longer. There are several things I still have to do. To live longer I have to be healthy and how I do that is up to me. I had choices about what food to eat and how to keep fit.
Eating healthy food is fairly straightforward. It’s not hard to figure out what’s best for you. Being fit is more complex and many options are out there. There are lots of experts, real ones and not real ones, and everyone has an opinion. On the other hand, you can figure out what your weight should be for your age, height and body build. Set your target weight as an objective. I did that and then figure out what exercises to do.
My routine includes; aerobic (cardiorespiratory), stretching, balance, upper body strength. They are all important but one I believe is most important. That’s the aerobic (cardiorespiratory). It’s the exercise that strengthens your heart and lungs with results people don’t see -- it’s all inside. The results are huge but they won’t turn heads at the beach!
My routine includes; aerobic (cardiorespiratory), stretching, balance, upper body strength. They are all important but one I believe is most important. That’s the aerobic (cardiorespiratory). It’s the exercise that strengthens your heart and lungs and is associated with increased longevity.
High aerobic fitness is associated with increased longevity. It may also give you a springier step, or make going upstairs easier, or maybe your complexion has suddenly improved, lots of little things. It can improve heart health, burn fat and calories, help your brain, and lift your mood. Research studies are almost unanimous in this.
Aerobic fitness can be measured. VO2 max, or maximum oxygen uptake, is a measurement of how much oxygen your body can use during intense exercise. It's a key indicator of cardiorespiratory fitness. Research consistently shows that higher VO2 levels are associated with a greater chance of living a longer life. One of the most effective forms of aerobic exercise is running. Others include: an elliptical, treadmill, brisk walking, swimming, rowing, cycling. Charts are available that show VO2 max levels for age and fitness. Calculate your own VO2 max and check where it fits on the chart. Gyms usually have this information.
Aerobic fitness is built gradually over months and years. You start slowly and increase the speed, or intensity whenever you’re ready, just enough that you still huff and puff at the end. You do enough to make progress and not too much that you become hurt or discouraged. You’re in this for the long haul.
You’ve on the right path to reaching a fit and healthy old age! You will feel you’ve accomplished something important and you’ll feel good!
