Aerobic exercise rejuvenates up to 12 years

According to an article published by the physician and professor RJ Shephard in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, regular aerobic exercise increases the body’s ability to capture and use oxygen, yet a person’s maximum aerobic capacity declines with age.

Studies on the response of aerobic training in older people have shown that exercising, especially with intense physical activity for longer periods, can increase aerobic power. In fact, seven studies of this type of exercise found that people’s aerobic capacity increased by 25%, the equivalent of 12 years of fitness loss.

Based on this review, Shephard concluded that older people who perform progressive aerobic training can maintain independence longer because they delay the biological clock in the loss of aerobic fitness that occurs with age.

Other strengths of keeping fit include reducing the risk of serious illness, faster recovery from injury or illness, and reducing the risk of falling due to maintaining muscle strength, balance and coordination.