Encouraging new public health approaches to promote the health benefits of muscle-strengthening exercise is the message of this study, which confirms the reduction in the risk of chronic diseases with regular practice of muscle-strengthening exercise. Data presented in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine which reveals that approximately 3 quarters of adults (here Americans) “do not do enough”.
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It is therefore a question of respecting the guidelines for the practice of exercise, i.e. 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day, but also of including muscle strengthening exercises which can be practiced using weight machines. , dumbbells, pull-ups. The study shows that while 3 quarters of adults do not do enough, one in 4 adults also do not practice enough aerobic exercise (walking, cycling, running).
At least 2 sessions of muscle-strengthening exercise per week is the authors' recommendation: a light to moderate practice here is associated with a reduction in reported chronic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity and cancer, explains lead author Jason A. Bennie of the Physically Active Lifestyles Research Group at the University of Southern Queensland, Australia. His team analyzed data from more than 397,000 US participants (ages 18-80):
- 30% practice muscle-strengthening exercises 2 or more times a week, while around 58% report no practice (see diagram below).
- black respondents are more likely to meet or exceed minimum muscle building recommendations;
- people who don't adhere to the practice tend to be older, female, overweight or obese, also do less aerobics, have lower income and education, and feel that their own health is bad.
While muscle-strengthening exercise is an important contributor to good health , this form of physical exercise has largely been ignored in public health approaches to chronic disease prevention and management. However, underline the researchers, its regular practice makes it possible to increase the force, the power, the endurance and the mass of the skeletal muscle. Previous research has shown that muscle-strengthening exercises have many health benefits, including:
- improving glucose and lipid metabolism,
- reduction of blood pressure,
- increased bone density,
- improved balance and physical function,
- better self-esteem,
- a reduction in anxiety.
Admittedly, this study again demonstrates an association and does not demonstrate causation. Indeed, it could be objected that the reduction in the risk of chronic diseases could be linked to the fact that people with such conditions generally practice muscular exercises less. However, these association data support the findings of previous studies and call for further public health action to support adherence to this type of exercise.
A challenge, more than for encouraging the practice of aerobic exercise, because muscle strengthening exercise requires access to specific structures and facilities as well as the advice of a professional trained in the knowledge large muscle groups and adapted to practice (repetition, duration, etc.).