Researchers have found that practicing physical activity reduces the proliferation of blood vessels in the eyes.
- Physical activity may slow or prevent age-related macular degeneration, as well as the development of glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy
- Practicing a physical activity would reduce the proliferation of blood vessels by 45%
- Researchers hope to develop a method that will give the benefits of physical exercise without having to practice it
We know that regular physical activity is good for physical and mental health. A recent study by researchers from the university of virginia (United States) reports in addition to this, the benefits of physical exercise on sight, in particular because it would help to slow down or even prevent age-related macular degeneration, as well as the development of glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, which affects 50% of patients type 2 diabetics.
A decrease in the proliferation of blood vessels
This is an unprecedented discovery, since the virtues of a healthy lifestyle on vision have always been studied through questionnaires. However, this time, the researchers provide “hard evidence” obtained in the laboratory on mice. By comparing two groups of rodents, they observed that those who exercised voluntarily by running in their wheel reduced the proliferation of their blood vessels by up to 45%, compared to the other group which did not move. By repeating the experiment, they observed a decrease in the proliferation of blood vessels by 32%.
However, researchers do not yet know exactly how physical activity can reduce the proliferation of blood vessels in the eyes. “The next step is to understand how and why this happens, and to determine if we can develop a pill or method that will give the benefits of exercise without having to exercise.”explains Bradley Gelfand, lead author of the study, referring in particular to the elderly and disabled who are unable to practice physical exercise.
“One of the reasons I wanted to do this kind of selfish study: I was hoping to find a reason not to exercise”he joked, before recalling that it was of course essential for health to practice it regularly when possible.
Official recommendations
In France, the official recommendation disseminated within the framework of the National Health Nutrition Program (PNNS) since 2002 is practice the equivalent of at least 30 minutes of brisk walking per day. As specified by governmentpor adults, it is recommended to practice 30 minutes of physical activity developing moderate to high intensity cardio-respiratory fitness, at least 5 days a week, avoiding going 2 consecutive days without practicing.
“Physical activities for cardiorespiratory purposes and those for muscular purposes can be integrated into the same activity or during the same day. For children and teenagers from 6 to 17 years old, it is recommended to practice at least 60 minutes a day of physical activity of moderate to vigorous intensity”.
.
