Physical Wellness

High Intensity Interval Training: An Effective Way To Delay Aging [VIDEO]

By Alleah Kiamco | Update Date: Mar 09, 2017 01:09 AM EST

Heart cells, brain and muscle cells decline and wear out with age. A study performed by Dr. Sreekumaran Nair, a diabetes researcher at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota and a group of health enthusiast claims that High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is effective and a sure way to combat changes brought in by aging.

Published in the Cell Metabolism Journal on Tuesday, exercise boosts cells in producing much-needed protein in the body which helps block aging process and lowers down the possible harm of diabetes and other forms of bodily ailments, CNN said.

HIIT is an exercise that consists of short bursts of intense activity with an interval of low-intensity exercises to recover periods of strength exertion. The effectiveness of high-intensity interval training was proven to be true when Dr. Nair and his colleagues observed groups of people between the age of 18-35, classified as the "young" core, and volunteers ranging from 65-80 years old as the "older" core group, in a 3-month combination of interval and weight training with the consideration of how these exercise regimes impact their cells.

The routine was a mixture of intense cycling with low-intensity pedaling in between moderate to difficult treads of walking and sprinting. By the end of the three-month trial, it was found out that HIIT generated an energy of about 49 percent in the younger core group and a surprising 69 percent in the older volunteers. It also improved heart and lung circulation.

A report released by New Scientist revealed that among the older group, a 21 percent boost in oxygen consumption was shown and insulin sensitivity was increased compared to other forms of exercise. Above all, it produced the mitochondrial capacity in their bodies which is vital in energy production. Thus, could benefit aging indicators and age-related problems.

"Although all exercise helped with musculature, strength training was most effective for building muscle mass and for improving strength which typically declines with age," Dr. Nair said.

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