Strength training should be an important part of every adult daily activity. It will keep your muscles toned and trim, improve balance, relieve stress (think of that nagging boss when you work out), promote weight loss, give you a sexy looking body, among other things. It’s unfortunate to notice however, that there are not many older folks exercising with weights or targeted resistance exercises at my local gym and . . . sadly this seems to be the trend throughout the country.
There is a growing population of baby boomers and those fast approaching retirement in America today who will soon have lots of free time on their hands. If they haven’t done so as yet, now is the time to begin a proper strength training program in-order to realize quality of life throughout their golden years.
Diabetes is a growing disease among the middle-aged population and strength training is one of the best ways to protect your body from becoming susceptible to it. Read the following article which highlights the importance of muscle-strength training.
Adults Over 45 Not Meeting U.S. Muscle Strengthening Guidelines, Study Says
FRIDAY, Sept. 19, 2014 (HealthDay News) — Although there is mounting evidence that muscle-strength training provides key health benefits, most middle-aged and older adults in the United States don’t engage in this type of exercise, according to new research.
Less than one-quarter of adults over 45 meet the muscle-strengthening recommendations set by the Department of Health and Human Services, the study found.
Strength is essential for promoting health and fitness and staying independent, researchers advised. Muscle-strengthening activities include yoga, sit-ups, push-ups, weights, elastic bands and weight machines. In many cases, people use their own body weight for resistance during strength training.
For the study, the researchers analyzed data from the 2011 U.S. Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, a telephone health survey conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Participants answered questions about the type of physical activities they engage in and how often. They were also asked if they exercised in order to strengthen their muscles.
Of all those who answered the questions on muscle strengthening, about 24 percent said they met the government’s recommendations.
Among those less likely than others to meet these guidelines were women, widows, those age 85 or older, people who were obese, and Hispanics. Participants who didn’t graduate from high school were also less likely to meet U.S. strength-training recommendations.
Jesse Vezina, of Arizona State University, and his fellow researchers concluded that interventions designed to encourage people to participate in strength training should target these high-risk groups.
The study’s findings were published online Sept. 18 by the CDC.
Original post found at: http://www.msn.com/en-us/health/strength/adults-over-45-not-meeting-us-muscle-strengthening-guidelines-study-says/ar-BB4ENslP.S. I have been doing muscle-strength training over the past few years and have noticed a big difference in my body and even my mental disposition. And although it is very important, I have found that stretching becomes just as crucial also.
Strength training and stretching are ideal for diabetics to do even if its for twenty minutes per day broken up into five or ten minute slots.
P.P.S. Visit exercises for diabetics today for more information on exercising as a diabetic.
