Study: Exercise Rejuvenates Muscles in Seniors

A study done on 25 seniors in Canada by Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky of McMaster University Medical Centre showed that weight training helped to reverse aging of muscle tissue in healthy senior citizens. The study had healthy seniors over 65 participate in a weight lifting program for 2 hours a week for 6 months. The study compared the tissue samples to that of healthy men and women in their 20's that did the exact same exercises.

The results of the study showed that prior to exercise training, the older adults were 59% weaker than the young adults. After the training, the older adults improved by about 50% and were only 38% weaker than the young adults. The genes and cellular material damaged by aging were rejuvenated in the weight-lifting seniors. The older adult muscles become similar to young adult muscle. Researchers believe that weight training encourages muscles to produce new healthy tissue which keep it young. This study just reinforces what we already know, that exercise is a major component in fall and injury prevention for seniors.

To read more on the study, click here