Source link : https://las-vegas-news.com/muscle-strength-womens-essential-tool-for-thriving-in-later-years/
A Landmark Study Reveals Surprising Links to Longevity (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Las Vegas – New findings from a large-scale study of older women underscore a straightforward truth: preserving muscle strength significantly extends life expectancy and enhances quality of life.[1][2] Researchers tracked thousands of participants over eight years and discovered that simple measures of muscular power outperformed traditional fitness markers in predicting survival. This insight challenges long-held views on exercise priorities for aging gracefully.
A Landmark Study Reveals Surprising Links to Longevity
Scientists analyzed data from 5,472 women aged 63 to 99, drawn from the Women’s Health Initiative cohort.[3] Over an average follow-up of 8.3 years, 1,964 deaths occurred, allowing researchers to pinpoint factors tied to lower mortality. The study, published in JAMA Network Open, adjusted for variables like age, race, body weight, comorbidities, physical activity, and inflammation markers such as C-reactive protein.
Michael LaMonte, a research professor at the University at Buffalo, led the effort. He noted that muscular strength remained a strong predictor of survival even among women who fell short of federal aerobic exercise guidelines – 150 minutes of moderate activity per week.[4] This held true across subgroups, including different ages, ethnicities, and body sizes.
Grip and Balance Tests Signal More Than Fitness
Grip strength, measured with a hand dynamometer,…
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Author : Matthias Binder
Publish date : 2026-04-21 14:04:00
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