How (not) to age by 40 years in just 3 weeks

In 1966 NASA did an experiment in which they aged five healthy men by 40 years in just three weeks… 

… and then they got them back young again eight weeks later. 

True story. 

It was a study performed by Dr. Bengt Saltin at the University of Texas. Here is what they did: 

They asked five healthy young men, in the age of 20, to stay in the bed for three weeks.  They were not allowed to get up, for any reason while the doctors monitored their condition. 

Why?

The Space Program was well on the way back then and the Apollo 11 landed on the Moon three years later.  NASA needed to know how human body will react in zero-gravity environment, and the bedrest seemed like a close enough simulation. 

So what did they find? 

It did not go well, for the young men.

Within three weeks, the participants’ bio-age, declined by almost 40 (!) years. 

Their cardiovascular health declined significantly, and their maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), a measure of aerobic fitness, decreased by about 27%. 

There was notable muscle atrophy and metabolic changes which led to increased body fat. 

The key finding was, that the men’s fitness level decreased by more that 1% decline each day! 

To put it bluntly, it only takes 3 weeks without movement and some of your cardiovascular conditions (VO2max) decrease the same way as after 40 years of aging. 

But it’s exactly these conditions that correlate with life longevity. 

The doctors see this all the time.  

You have an active senior with no significant health risks, they slip, break a hip, and end up on the bed in hospital.  

Suddenly their health deteriorates and even cognitive functions decline due to the lack of movement. 

Studies show that up to 50% of seniors do not survive one year after having a hip surgery. 

And it’s all because of lack of movement.

Here is the good news: 

At the end of the Dallas study, they put the men through eight weeks of exercise training.  

After eight weeks, they got back to their previous fitness levels, and, even better. 

So why am I telling you all this? 

It’s clear, that movement and being physically active leads to a longer life. 

How this relates to you?

The best thing you can do right now for your health, and to live longer, is to get moving.

Go for a walk, do some exercise, try jogging... whatever you like. But keep moving, every day to increase your lifespan.

If you want to get the maximum benefits for your energy, try our E-Gym. It's a smart, safe, and fun way to work out. It's more fun and less work.

Plus the E-Gym adapts the exercise to your own body and fitness level so you don't overstretch or hurt yourself. And you can monitor your improvement and bio-age, which is all the more reasons to try it out.

Check out our E-Gym at Krav Maga Center Luxembourg. Our friendly staff will be happy to show you how it works.