How to live longer: The exercise mistake to avoid – it could shorten your lifespan

Trust Me, I’m a Doctor: Mosley demonstrates at home exercises

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

A Japanese research paper looking at the health impacts of different careers found that jobs requiring strenuous exercise led to a significantly shorter lifespan.

The overactive group had significantly shorter lifespans than groups whose jobs could be done sitting down.

The results suggest that too much exercise could have a negative impact on health.

The study was published in Palgrave Communications, a journal focused on the humanities and social sciences.

The researchers examined the occupations of just under 700 artists belonging to one of four Japanese traditional professions.

Only one of them, Kabuki, involves strenuous physical activity.

Kabuki performances involve quick movement and continuous practise to stay in performance shape between shows.

The performance durations for these artists were also the longest in the study, with a show lasting an average of four hours.

Other research has shown that performance artists are prone to injuries and medical problems.

The researchers point to a previous study of Kabuki performers where 88 percent of them suffered from medical problems that resulted from the occupation.

The most common injuries were to the back, knee, and foot.

The researchers examined primarily the dates of birth and death for performers rather than investigating causes of death or other health factors.

There were potential non-exercises causes for why these actors had shorter lifespans.

Some of the cases they examined performed prior to the year 1934, when lead paint was banned in Japan.

Kabuki actors traditionally used cosmetics that contained lead, and some suffered from lead poisoning as a result.

Another proposed reason is genetic factors passed down by families of performers.

There is still plenty of evidence for the role of exercise in extending life.

The study also included a control group made up of members of the royal family.

Despite the better access to healthcare and improved nutrition seen among members of the emperor’s line, they also saw a higher number of early deaths.

The researchers speculate this to be caused by a combination of stress, lack of exercise and unbalanced diet.

Other research has shown that exercise provides more favourable longevity benefits when performed in moderation and stopped before the point of exhaustion.

One study in Cell Metabolism linked excessive amounts of high intensity training to mitochondrial impairment.

The mitochondria is a component of the body’s cells responsible for producing energy.

Mitochondrial impairment has been linked to worsened glucose tolerance, potentially increasing the risk of diabetes.

Source: Read Full Article