By Jeffrey T Spaeth LMT, CPT

Dr. William Buchan, an 18th Century Scottish physician wrote: “Of all the causes which conspire to render the life of a man short and miserable, none have greater influence than the want of proper exercise.” According to Harvard Medical School research, bodily changes caused by aging begin as early as your early 30s: heart rates decline by one beat per minute per year; diminished aerobic capacity can produce fatigue, and breathlessness with modest daily activities occurs.

“Endurance exercise is the best way to improve cardiovascular function and to protect the body’s metabolism from the effects of age. It also boosts mood and improves sleep, countering anxiety and depression,” the research states. Endurance exercises include walking, jogging and biking. Golfing by walking the course is also beneficial. (Imagine that? Golfing slows aging!)

Hippocrates said 2,400 years ago: “That which is used develops; that which is not wastes away.”

Another study by the 1978 Harvard alumni found that “men who regularly exercise are 39 percent less likely to suffer heart attacks than their sedentary peers.” Moderate to intensive exercise reduces the risk of strokes by 46 percent! Also, highly active men are 47 percent less likely to develop colon cancer than their sedentary peers.” Studies show that men who exercise regularly can gain two hours of life expectancy for each hour of exercise.

Exercise Also Helps Women’s Health

I didn’t forget about the women. A study by ScienceDirect states: “Women should exercise regularly to combat the effects of aging due to menopause and other age-related issues such as a reduction in bone marrow density (BMD) and estrogen deficiency.” Reductions in BMD put women at a risk for osteoporosis, which can lead to balance and gate issues, and a reduction in O2 capacity relates to the cardiovascular system and a higher risk of injury.

It’s not all doom and gloom; the reason for all this information is not to depress you, but to give you an idea what can happen if you don’t exercise at all. It only takes a little to make a big difference. Stop by the Fitness Center today and let me help you start a program. Let’s fight the statistics together!

We at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club use the best training techniques to you started on a routine that will help you turn the clock back a few years. Call us at 352-402-4350, and get started today!