Heart Health Regular exercise rejuvenates the heart by decades

Sport keeps the heart fit - into old age. However, this only applies if you start to practice sports at a young age and are constantly working on it.

Regular exercise rejuvenates the cardiovascular system

A recent study by sports scientists at Ball State University in Indiana shows: Regular exercise over many years rejuvenates the cardiovascular system in old age and builds up the muscles.

Those who have been doing sports regularly since their early years ensure a strong heart in old age. (Image: Kzenon / fotolia.com)

Why does sports keep the heart healthy?

When we make a physical effort, the heart beats more often and pumps more blood into the body. The heart muscle is a muscle like any other, and when we do not use it, it weakens. Sport also means muscle training for the heart.

Important for heart disease

Sport also relieves heart disease. Training lowers the risk of sudden cardiac arrest if their coronary arteries are calcified or if they have chronic heart failure.

How does sport affect the heart muscle?

Through regular exercise for a long time, the heart muscle increases. With each stroke he now pumps more blood into the body than before. The heart works better.

Sport against arteriosclerosis

In arteriosclerosis, the veins "calcify". Continuous exercise prevents that, because the movement releases enzymes that affect blood lipid levels to lower the risk of sclerosis.

Risk overweight

Total active sport increases muscle mass, reduces fat levels in the body, and prevents overweight. Obesity is one of the major causes of cardiovascular disease. At the same time, sport can naturally lower blood pressure.

How did the scientists proceed??

For the first time in history, Americans looked at people who had been exercising all over for decades, comparing them to people who were the same age (75 years old) and barely exercising, and to 25-year-olds who trained just as often and for a long time like the active seniors.

oxygen test

All subjects of the three groups cycled in the laboratory. Their oxygen uptake was measured. This was the amount that a human receives when he moves intensely.

Conclusion

The movement-happy old people performed similarly well as the agile boys, but the less athletic seniors remained far behind. (Dr. Utz Anhalt)