Exercise has many known benefits. It contibutes to your well being and it improves your muscle tone and body weight. With exercise you look and feel better. It improves your energy level, your sleep patterns and your eating habits. The benefits don't stop there; it actual has an affect on the aging process.
People who exercise regularly have a greater life expectancy. Exercise helps stave off age related disease such as high blood pressure, osteoporosis, heart disease, obesity and diabetes.
Some recent studies involving twins have shown that by exercising there are changes at the level of genetic material; the DNA. When comparing the chromosone length, which is an indicator of aging, a twin who regularly exercise has less signs of aging.
Another important study that was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine looked at an individuals aerobic power and independence in the later years. The aerobic power is a measure of the bodies ability to uptake oxygen when exercising. With age this decreases. Exercise, even at a later age can improve the aerobic power. With this improvement individuals can live longer more productive and independent lives thanks to the benefits of training and exercise.
One of the more significant perils of aging is falls. About 30% of individuals over 65 experience a fall every year, many require medical treatment. It is one of the most significant factors leading to changing in behavior and avoiding going out and one of the principal reasons for admission into a nursing home. A review of over a hundred studies looking at the effects and prevention of falls in 55 000 people in 15 countries concluded that an exercise program that emphasized strength, balance and flexibility was the best treatment to prevent falls in the elderly. Group exercise programs such as Pilates and Tai Chi were helpful.
Finally research has shown that by remaining actice throughout life improves your physical and mental capcity and delays the natural decline with age. This benefit is effective no mater when you start exercising. So its never to late to get active and stay active.