138. Strengthening your muscles lowers your risk of death
Dr. David Geier is an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. He helps athletes and active people feel and perform their best, regardless of age, injuries and medical history. He has been featured in major media publications and shows over 2,500 times throughout his career.
Performing muscle strengthening for just 30 minutes per week can reduce your risk of death up to 20 percent. In a new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, Japanese researchers compiled data from studies around the world. They found that performing only 30 to 60 minutes of muscle strengthening activity every week is linked to a 10 to 20 percent lower risk of death from any cause, heart disease, cancer and diabetes. But if you don’t like to lift weights, don’t worry. You can strengthen your muscles with activities like carrying heavy shopping bags, digging and shoveling in your garden, or even lifting and carrying children.
Through the stories of a dozen athletes whose injuries and recovery advanced the field (including Joan Benoit, Michael Jordan, Brandi Chastain, and Tommy John), Dr. Geier explains how sports medicine makes sports safer for the pros, amateurs, student-athletes, and weekend warriors alike.
