It's Not in Your Genes
Super Agers is the audiobook I’m listening to this week and while it is a bit like listening to someone read out a glossary of medical studies, if you are able to prevent your mind wandering from boredom while the narrator runs down the list of study results, there are some useful takeaways.
First of all, what are “Super Agers”? These are people 80+ years old who have suffered no serious illness, required no major medical interventions and continue to live, healthy, independent lives free of frailty and disease.
A study of the genomes of 1400 super agers was conducted with the intention of identifying the unique genetic markers responsible for their remarkable health span. The idea was, that researchers could then apply CRISPR-Cas 9 technology to alter human genomes to mimic these advantageous attributes.
To the research team’s surprise, they were unable to identify any genetic similarities associated with super aging. Indeed, participants’ own family members rarely exhibited the same remarkable health spans. Genes did not account for these people’s outstanding health or longevity.
Lifestyle Factors have more to do with your health span than genetics
This is good news because it means that lifestyle factors have more to do with your health span than genetics. So, even if you do not come from a family with a good health history, you are not doomed to poor health outcomes. That is an empowering thought!
There are many factors that play a role in health span such as sleep (7 hours per night), nutrition (avoid processed foods) and community. But the one thing that made the largest positive impact was exercise. Regular exercise is like a magic pill with a broad cascade of health benefits. But you already knew that.
A few more interesting take aways:
1 min of regular exercise equated to 5 more minutes lifespan
1 min of high intensity exercise equated to 7-8 more minutes lifespan
There is a linear dose response with more exercise resulting in better health
Women enjoyed slightly more benefits from exercise than their male counterparts
The workout for Saturday, June 28 - Team Workout
It's only 6 minutes of work but boy, are those 6 minutes intense! This is a fun one! Come on out and discover how potent an exercise sandbag cleans can be:)
Warm Up
1 min each:
Shoulder Pass Throughs
Ring Row Squats
Box Step Ups
Sandbag Bear Hug Carry
PVC OHS
Ring Row Squat Jumps
Box Jumps
Sandbag Over the Shoulder Cleans
WOD
In teams of 4 complete 3x 8 min rounds:
0-2 min: partner A works
2-4 min: partner B works
4-6 min: partner C works
6-8 min: partner D works
In your 2 mins:
5 Box Jumps @30/36"
10 OHS @35/45#
Max reps Over the Shoulder Sandbag Cleans
Team Score = total clean reps completed in 24 mins x sandbag weight used
