We have probably all heard of the phrase, “use or lose it”. When you run or lift regularly and then take a break from activity, the body has a tough time trying to get back into the rhythm as before. This is because exercise doesn't “bank up”. The human body is unfortunately a mechanical system that builds muscle mass as we add load and reduces muscle mass when we don’t load at all. If you want more information on how muscles build mass, check out my article on muscle loading “Speed and Strength: Why speed matters for muscle”.
Similar to a bank, you can make deposits and take withdrawals of how your body is moving. Improving your cardiovascular and muscular fitness little by little is like adding to your body’s bank statement. The small things like taking the stairs and walking or moving around at work or in front of the TV can add up.
Daily resistance and cardio exercise increases has many benefits including health, quality of life, functional movement, injury prevention, and even reduces your all cause mortality rate. In a systematic review from Harvard School of Public Health, there was a dose relationship that found burning 1000 calories per week reduced your all cause mortality rate by 20-30%. This study looked at members who were both using cardio and resistance in their workouts.
Of course, all cause mortality is linked with a large number of other factors. Making sure you are eating well and reducing stress makes a big impact on controlling your overall health and wellness. Remember that the best wealth we have is our health. Without the ability to move well, think well, and live well, we can’t do much of anything well.
You can take this information to the bank... but not the exercises.
Good health is great wealth,
Dr. Cole Maranger DC
Lee, M., & Skerrett, P. Physical activity and all-cause mortality: what is the dose-response relation? Harvard School of Public Health. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Patrick-Skerrett/publication/11912487_Lee_I-M_Skerrett_PJ_Physical_activity_and_all-cause_mortality_what_is_the_dose-response_relation_Med_Sci_Sports_Exerc_33_S459-S471/links/5c33768392851c22a3625cac/Lee-I-M-Skerrett-PJ-Physical-activity-and-all-cause-mortality-what-is-the-dose-response-relation-Med-Sci-Sports-Exerc-33-S459-S471.pdf?_sg%5B0%5D=started_experiment_milestone&origin=journalDetail
Comments