A Body In Motion Stays In Motion: What happens when we stop being active?

“A body in motion stays in motion, a body at rest stays at rest.” This is Newton’s first law of motion. This can also be used to explain how our exercise habits, whether positive or negative, can influence our fitness levels as we age.

A Body At Rest: Inactivity If you have fallen into the habit of inactivity, you will be far more susceptible to one or more of the many different conditions below: Difficulty Sleeping Higher Blood Pressure Weight Gain Increased Risk of Injury Muscle Shrinkage Decreased Endurance Increased Stress Increased Cravings Decreased Neurogenesis in the brain (growth of grey matter)

A Steep Decline “The fitter you are, the harder you fall”-Harry Pino, senior exercise physiologist at the Sports Performance Center at NYU Langone Medical Center A person’s VO2 Max refers to the maximum amount of oxygen that an individual can utilize during intense or maximal exercise. This is an often used tool for fitness professionals in assessing a person’s cardiovascular fitness levels. Studies show a very steep decline in a persons VO2 Max following sudden inactivity. 12 days of inactivity = a decrease of 7-10% 50 days of inactivity = a decrease of 14-15% 80 days of inactivity = a decrease of 16-18%

A Body In Motion: Activity Starting and maintaining an active lifestyle works wonders for your body. To ensure that you maintain a healthy cardiovascular system, you don’t need a gym membership or equipment! It is as simple as going for walks, jogging, riding a bike, or even swimming! Here are a few benefits to regular activity that will lead to a longer, fitter life! A stronger heart (increased ability to eject blood) Increased ability for blood vessels to send blood where it is needed Increased number of capillaries (vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients to the muscles) Increased size and number of mitochondria (the “power plants” of cells) Increase in general endurance for daily tasks Increased immune system Decreased risk of injury

How Does Age Affect My Fitness Levels? Loss of muscle mass As we age, our muscle begins to deteriorate and we store more excess fat. Combat this by maintaining a routine of not only cardio exercise, but also resistance training i.e. lifting weights. Lower energy levels Working out may seem unappealing as energy decreases with age. However, by keeping your body in motion, you can continuously train your cardiovascular system to stay efficient boosting both mood and energy. Disease susceptibility Regular exercise greatly reduces your risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol osteoporosis and more.

Ways To Stay On Track It is easy to start exercising again. The difficult part is maintaining. Here are a few tips to help you keep your body in motion! Treat exercise as an appointment or integrate it into your busy schedule. Specify a day and time for exercise that works for you. Use the “buddy system” as a way to help keep you and a friend accountable. Set realistic goals and go after them! Make exercise fun by playing games or going on hikes. See a personal trainer!

Take Control Of Your Future Self! By simply remembering Newton’s First Law, you will have a constant reminder to take care of your body’s health. No matter what age or fitness level you are, you can start to implement positive steps in your daily routine to set yourself up for a healthier tomorrow!

References: http://www.livestrong.com/article/418037-how-does-age-affect-exercise/ https://www.pritikin.com/your-health/healthy-living/getting-fit/1315-staying-on-track-with- your-fitness-plans.html http://www.varierfurniture.com/en_us/Blog/Health-Lifestyle/What-happens-to-your-body- when-you-stop-being-active http://io9.gizmodo.com/this-is-what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-stop-exercis- 1724581507