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The Secret to Living Longer : Intensity
Most people would agree that they need to stay active to remain healthy into old age. However, new studies indicate that more may be needed to actually increase your lifespan. In fact, the medical professionals published this information back in 2002, but for some reason it received little coverage. The New England Journal of Medicine (Volume 346:852-854 March 14, 2002) published a study entitled “Survival of the Fittest.” This study brought into question the benefits of simple movement vs. intense exercise for the purpose of longevity.
It stated, “...the peak estimated exercise capacity achieved during the test was the strongest predictor of the risk of death among patients with cardiovascular disease and among patients without cardiovascular disease.” The study actually went so far as to say, “Greater fitness results in longer survival.” The study did not speak of the frequency that the participants exercised, only about their performance during exercises. Basically ,it was saying that it is not always the people who exercise the most that live the longest, but the people that exercised with the most intensity.
But, don’t get the wrong idea… Walking and everyday movement are an extremely important aspect of human existence, because our bodies were designed to move. It is very important to remain active by walking or gardening to keep the body from getting rusty. Walking will increase circulation, keep muscles and joints from getting stiff, and have an overall positive health effect on the body. So, there is absolutely no downside to walking. In fact, walk as much as possible!
But, this is not to say that some people will not live to a ripe old age simply by walking. What the study shows is that the odds of longevity improve dramatically when the intensity of exercise is increased. Think about that next time you take a walk or work in the garden. If that is all you can do, that is perfectly okay. Just push yourself to walk faster for certain periods of time to increase the intensity of the exercise.
And, more importantly, incorporate a workout regimen 3 times a week to insure you get a good intense workout. This will help you maximize your odds for longevity AND dramatically improve the quality of your life. The Dynamics of Motion System incorporates this philosophy so that you will get the maximum benefits from your workouts add years onto your lifespan.
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