Leg strength and longevity

Training legs… ugh, who would do it! Well, what if I told you that training legs could be a key part to your longevity.

Often seemed to be the most dreaded workout day, I think this is because this can feel like a lot more effort, alot of leg day movements not only require you to move the weight you have selected but your bodyweight in addition. Balancing is a huge part of training legs and these movements require a lot of energy and are tougher for your body to recover from due to the size of the muscles on your legs.

So you might have heard of sarcopenia, also known as age related muscle loss, you can imagine how impactful this is on your legs alone if you were unable to complete daily tasks such as sitting and standing up with ease. Research has consistently showed that individuals with high muscle mass, even after factors such as chronic disease and obesity are controlled.

Muscle mass is directly linked to lower mortality rates, you can imagine the more obvious reasons as to why having stronger legs can help as we age. Reasons such as, reduced risks of falls, moving with ease in mundane life and improved mobility. Essentially allowing individuals to keep their independence for longer. Due to their size, leg muscles largely contribute to the musculoskeletal system. The musculoskeletal system naturally ages with us but is one of the only bodily systems we have a large amount of control over and the effects it can have on our bodies is huge. The musculoskeletal system alone has direct links fighting bone density loss (osteoporosis), muscle tissue loss (sarcopenia), maintaining joint health and the cartilage cushioning joints, balance and postural stability and effects on the nervous system. Other notable physical benefits include leg strength and its links to improved cardiovascular health, blood pressure and glucose regulation.

Outside of physical benefits, studies have supported the benefits of leg strength to cognitive health and the way our brain ages. In short, activities which use leg muscles boost blood flow to the brain, assisting oxygen and nutrient delivery which is thought to aid in preserving brain volume and function. Research in older adults has shown very promising links with light leg stimulation and greater hippocampal volume which is essential for memory.

Essentially, I hate to tell you this but you need to stop skipping legs…