Power Training: The Overlooked Path to Longevity

When we think about fitness and aging, strength often takes center stage. However, a groundbreaking study from Rio de Janeiro suggests that power—the ability to exert force quickly—is an even more crucial factor in predicting longevity.
Power impacts vital daily functions like climbing stairs, balancing after a stumble, or reacting in emergencies. The study followed 4,000 adults for 20 years and found those with higher power had lower mortality, regardless of their overall strength.
You can build power through simple exercises like jumping, skipping, or running stairs. These movements help maintain coordination and balance, key to reducing falls in older age.
Weight training should focus on speed: perform lifts explosively with moderate weights, stopping sets before fatigue. This method is safer for the heart and muscles and more effective at boosting power.
Integrating power training into your routine is an investment in your future—keeping you agile, resilient, and healthy as you age.