08/09/2025
Research Spotlight: Aging & Exercise
This figure (from Physiological Reviews, 2025) outlines the physiological hallmarks of aging. As we get older, changes occur almost universally, including:
⚪ Loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia), often paired with shifts in fat mass and distribution
⚪ Reduced cardiorespiratory fitness
⚪ Declines in muscle strength and power
⚪ Neuromuscular deficiencies that increase frailty risk
These aren’t just numbers on a chart — they represent why day-to-day activities like climbing stairs, carrying groceries, or keeping balance can feel harder with age. But here’s the encouraging takeaway from the research: Exercise has been consistently shown to delay, slow, or even partially reverse many of these changes.
Resistance training helps preserve muscle mass and strength. Aerobic exercise improves cardiovascular fitness and efficiency. Balance and mobility training reduce the risk of falls. In other words, while aging is inevitable, functional decline is not fixed. Movement is one of the most powerful tools we have to support independence, resilience, and long-term heart health.
At Heartworks, we see this evidence come to life every day. Clients who commit to structured exercise don’t just recover — they rebuild confidence, strength, and the capacity to do the things they love.
Takeaway: Healthy aging isn’t about avoiding change; it’s about choosing strategies — like exercise — that give you control over how you age.
📖 Reference: Furrer, R., & Handschin, C. (2025). Biomarkers of aging: from molecules and surrogates to physiology and function. Physiological Reviews, 105(3). https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00045.2024
