Embracing an active lifestyle isn’t about defying the inevitable aging process; it’s about optimizing your well-being at every stage of life. In this exploration of fitness and age, we’ll delve into the transformative impact of physical activity on mental and physical health, debunking myths and providing practical insights for a holistic approach to staying fit.
Fitness as the Fountain of Youth:
Exercise, though unable to turn back the hands of time, plays a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of life. The correlation between physical fitness and overall health is underscored by Scott Cheatham PhD, a professor in kinesiology at California State University Dominguez Hills, who emphasizes its potential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and alleviate symptoms such as anxiety and depression.
Michele Olson PhD, a senior clinical professor in sport science, adds a fascinating perspective—being fit can make you functionally younger. Achieving the health of someone 10 to 15 years older is not an elusive goal if you prioritize your fitness.
Decoding “Fit”:
Contrary to popular belief, being fit doesn’t necessitate resembling an Olympian. Cheatham breaks down the concept, highlighting the importance of muscle strength, endurance, power, joint mobility, and flexibility. Essentially, it’s about having the capacity to carry out daily tasks without undue tiredness or excessive effort.
The Pitfalls of Fitness Age Benchmarks:
While guidelines and fitness benchmarks can be valuable, Michele Olson cautions against fixating on them. Fitness tests, whether conducted by a personal trainer or through at-home options, should serve as tools to prevent common aches and pains rather than instigate comparison. Online resources may provide age-related norms, but they’re not absolute measures of personal fitness.
Your Fitness Age: Fun or Fiction?
Cheatham sheds light on cardio respiratory fitness as a component of fitness age, acknowledging the entertaining aspect of self-tests. The online fitness age self-test from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology offers a lighthearted way to gauge your fitness level, but Cheatham emphasizes the importance of viewing such benchmarks with a dose of skepticism. Personalization based on individual needs, goals, and activities is key.
Moving Beyond Fitness Fixation:
Timothy Thompson, an advocate for movement-centric living, emphasizes that the journey to becoming physically fit is not a sudden decision but a daily commitment rooted in enjoyment. Instead of fixating on past reasons for inactivity, focus on what brings you joy and set daily goals aligned with those activities.
In the pursuit of ageless vitality, the connection between fitness and well-being emerges as a guiding principle. By understanding the broad spectrum of fitness, navigating benchmarks with caution, and prioritizing movement as a lifelong goal, you unlock the potential to live a vibrant and fulfilling life, irrespective of the number of candles on your birthday cake. Embrace the transformative power of fitness and embark on a journey that celebrates the essence of a truly ageless you.
This post was written by Darryl Johnson, Co-Owner of Apex performance. At Apex performance we are a community of highly trained experts looking to provide performance enhancement and a permanent lifestyle change for our clients in a fun and interactive environment. Members can take advantage of youth sports performance training near me, one-on-one training, small group classes and specialized courses for a wide variety of athletics, sports training and body goals!
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