A relatively recent research study reveals a connection (of some sort) between muscular strength and longevity.
The article, “Association between muscular strength and mortality in men: prospective cohort study,” says that “Muscular strength is inversely and independently associated with death from all causes in men, even after adjusting for cardiorespiratory fitness and other potential confounders.”
This is not an insignificant study. The researchers used data from the Cooper Institute in Texas, and included 8762 men aged 20-80 in the study.
Why might muscular strength be correlated with longevity? Well, there are a few reasons I can think of off the top of my head. Here’s one:
For one, balance is highly correlated with muscular strength. While the “scientists” among us will argue about “tonic” (the so-called “anti-gravity” muscles), and “phasic” (the “mover” muscles) muscles, I can tell you from personal experience that, when someone isn’t very strong, they aren’t very stable – and that “working on stability” (as much “functional training” does nowadays) by balancing on one leg on a Bosu ball, is the long, slow, hard road to stability…working on “gross strength” has much faster and better results.
Anyway, as we get older, we tend to lose muscle mass, strength, and with it, balance and proprioception (spatial awareness). A lot of this has to do with lack of use in old age. Some of it is “programmed.” That being said, falls and related fractures, etc., can lead to death, or can lead to further lack of movement, which becomes more and more fatal the older we get.
The bottom line – get stronger. My next post will be about this…
