It has been studied and well documented that regular strength training provides numerous health benefits including stronger bones, a faster metabolism and a slimmer waistline- now it appears we have one more incredible incentive to pick up the weights. 

Recently, researchers have performed studies that show regular weight training actually turns back the clock on the aging process of our muscles!  One of the studies, published in the online journal PLoS One, examine whether strength training affects the “gene expression profile” in older adults’ muscle tissue. Our bodies manufacture proteins and thus more muscle from instructions held by our genes. Gene expression refers to the processes by which these instructions are translated into proteins. The study included 25 people older than 65 and 26 younger participants ages 20-35. Each group had similar exercise habits.

After examining each groups’ gene expression profile, it was concluded that the group with the older muscles had impaired function in their mitochondria- the structures that act as the cell powerhouse; quite opposite from the younger groups’ gene expression profile. 14 of the older participants trained with weights for 6 months and as expected, they improved their strength and amazingly improved their gene expression that in a very real sense could be described as “younger muscle.” 

 Additional research will hopefully solidify these findings and it is not yet certain that other forms of aerobic exercise like running or swimming have similar effects on our muscles or, additionally other types of body tissue. It is becoming increasingly clear that weight training is the closest thing we have to that elusive fountain of youth and in this case it can be taken quite literally.  It gives new credence to the saying “It’s NEVER too late to start”