Well trained, a person aged 60 or 70 could perform as well as an athlete. Age would not be an obstacle to the practice of physical exercise, provided you are well trained, according to the conclusions of a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen (Denmark) followed participants aged 46 to 71 who were able to pedal for 2,700 km.
They found that during this event, they burned as much energy as the best athletes and spent 4 times their basal metabolism, a figure to be compared to the energy expenditure of the Tour de France runners, i.e. 4.3 times the basal metabolism. .
“We are very surprised to have seen that older people are able to expend as much energy as exceptional athletes. The only difference is that it will obviously take longer to cover the distance.”
This discovery is essential, because physical activity promotes the good health of seniors. Indeed, the fight against a sedentary lifestyle, and the practice of physical activities for aging people, are at the heart of public health issues. Their purpose is to preserve the health of seniors, to avoid the escalation of care and to prevent the loss of autonomy.
Physical inactivity, a public health issue
To keep in shape and preserve your health, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends taking 10,000 steps a day. The benefits of physical activity are scientifically proven. Regular practice of a sport reduces the risk of developing a breast cancer, 26% the risk of developing colorectal cancer, 25% the risk of having a stroke and 34% the risk of diabetes. Physical inactivity is today the 4th risk factor for mortality in the world after high blood pressure, smoking and diabetes.
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The physical activity of seniors, a public health issue
