Such aerobic
exercises as jogging and others are believed to improve the oxygen
consumption of the body, along with its ability to improve the
metabolism, which generates energy for the body. It is believed that
maximal aerobic power begins to decline from middle-age, decreasing
every decade by around 5 ml [kg. min]. The typical sedentary man who
has maximal aerobic power will have fallen to about 25 ml [kg.min] by
the age of 60, which is about half of the aerobic power he probably
had at the age of 20. When it falls below 18 ml. in men and about 15
ml in women it becomes very difficult to do normal everyday tasks, or
pretty much anything else without severe fatigue.
Recent evidence is
beginning to show that regular aerobic exercise can slow or can even
frequently reverse this decline, even in the geriatric years.
Research has found
that relatively high intensity aerobic exercise over a relatively
long. time may boost maximal aerobic power by approximately 25%,
which is actually equivalent to an improvement of 6 mil/ [kg.min], or
approximately 10 to 12 biological years.
The authors stated
that: “There seems to be good evidence that the conservation of
maximal oxygen intake increases the likelihood that the healthy
elderly person will retain functional independence.”
Significant
additional benefits seem to be that aerobic exercise may also reduce
risks of serious disease, may improve recovery times after injury or
illness, and may also help to reduce the risks of falls because of the
maintenance of balance, muscle power and coordination.
You can delay
aging by up to 12 years by maintaining aerobic fitness through
middle-age, according to a study recently reported at Science Daily
(April 10, 2008). In addition to slowing the biological aging effect,
you can also prolong your independence during old-age according to an
analysis currently published ahead of print in the British Journal of
Sports Medicine.