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Move, Not Just to Live Longer
If I talk to you about physical activity and aging, you might think, “I know that if I move more, I’ll live longer“, and you’d be right.
Yet, without trying too hard to play devil’s advocate, we’ve all seen, directly or indirectly, someone with a profile similar to Jacqueline’s:
- Octogenarian: At 85, she’s the undisputed oldest member of the family;
- Sedentary: She spends more than 8 hours a day sitting or lying down (excluding sleeping);
- Inactive: She doesn’t get the 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week recommended by the WHO;
- Blood tests: Nothing to report, according to her family doctor;
- Immune system: Rumor has it that she’s sick less often than her children and grandchildren.
People like Jacqueline often arouse a kind of fascination: what is the key to their longevity when they defy, or even almost contradict, the most rigorous scientific data?
Indeed, numerous studies show that physical activity is strongly associated with a reduction in mortality from all causes (cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, many cancers, neurodegenerative disorders, etc.). That being said, it is essential not to reduce the benefits of physical activity solely to life expectancy, and this article will attempt to convince you why.
While the mysteries of longevity still raise many questions, it’s safe to say that its mechanisms are very complex. They involve numerous determining factors, including genetic, epigenetic, socioeconomic, and many other factors. But let’s get back to our topic: what is the point of physical activity if we can live so long without doing any? Well, the answer lies in the fact that physical activity is one of the most powerful levers for preserving independent life expectancy.
Author
After four years of medical studies in Guadeloupe and France, Gary decided to reorient himself to follow his passion for physical activity. He completed a bachelor's degree and then a master's degree in physical activity sciences at the University of Montreal. Today, he specializes in the science of behavior change, a discipline that aims to make physical activity more accessible, regular, and realistic for everyone. As the founder of Kinobi Conseil, he provides personalized support to people experiencing motivational difficulties when it comes to physical activity. He is also a clinical instructor at the Kinesiology Clinic of the University of Montreal, where he contributes to student training.
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