Fitter People Are Less Likely to Die, There’s a Surprise

Jack Barton | 2014-06-20 05:30:04

Tell me something I don’t already know right? Seriously though, we know that having a strong heart is going to mean we’re less likely to be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, we know that having a greater lung capacity is probably going to suggest that we’re less likely to be diagnosed with a respiratory condition, but what about grip strength, walking speed, chair rising and standing balance times?

It may seem obvious but a surprising number of individuals don’t really pay attention, choosing to believe that age is the primary determinant of mortality.

In 2010 a study was published in the British Medical Journal reviewing all current literature on those exact parameters in order to identify which parameters could be analysed in order to predict an individual’s risk of mortality (Cooper et al, 2010).

Guess what?… They found that in elderly populations grip strength, walking speed, chair rising and standing balance tests ALL showed significant correlation to mortality rate. There’s a surprise right…
So sorry guys, it looks like training really is going to make a massive difference to the length of your life as well as the quality of it. Arguments for increasing total daily activity as well as incorporating balance and strength based exercises are extremely strong.

Just a little reminder about what you already know…

Jack Barton (Researcher, Rescon Ltd)

References
Cooper, R., Kuh, D., Hardy, R., & Group, M. R. (2010). Objectively measured physical capability levels and mortality: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ: British Medical Journal, 341.