Pacific NW Pilates (PNWP) has long-term clients of all ages. Among the most committed, successful and satisfied are those who practice Pilates to stay flexible, strong, balanced and active in maturity. Pilates keeps golf games, hiking, biking, skiing, etc., safer, more effective and more fun.
There’s plenty of evidence to support investing in exercise you enjoy. Two articles struck our fancy recently. The first is a study we spotted in Science Daily.
Does Exercise Slow the Aging Process?
The study conducted at the University of Arkansas suggests that regular physical activity can have a positive effect on the aging process from a cellular level. The study findings showed that the mice who ran on the weighted wheel for two months were eight weeks younger on a cellular level than sedentary mice of the same chronological age. The researchers explained that these findings are significant because many of these mice don’t live beyond two years old, and they had reached that benchmark by the end of the study. With regular exercise, the mice were able to slow down their biological aging.
The second study emphasized a favorite topic of ours—memory. In summary, regular exercise may help reduce declines in episodic memory—the collection of past personal experiences—for older adults.
How much exercise is needed to see benefits?
“Exercising for three times a week was enough to see a benefit, and it looks like it takes about four months to reap these benefits in episodic memory,” said lead study author Sarah Aghjayan. She is a clinical and biological health psychology PhD student in the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh.
And this makes sense, Aghjayan said.
“We know that regular physical activity can improve sleep and mood, improve your heart health, and impact your body weight, and all of these factors have an impact on brain and memory,” Aghjayan explained.
Moving—often and with great variety—is the spice of life. Pilates is the secret sauce to make favorite activities and sports sing.
Want to learn more about Pilates & Active Aging?
STOTT PILATES® Reformer for Older Adult—AT THE STUDIO
Saturday, April 9, 1:15 — 3:15 PM
STOTT PILATES® Stability Chair for Older Adult—AT THE STUDIO
Saturday, April 9, 3:45 — 5:45 PM