This briefing summarizes key themes and insights from a recent editorial in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, "Bridging the Gap Between Strength Span and Lifespan," by Dr. Avery Fagenbaum.

Main Theme: A lifespan approach to strength training is crucial for overall health, well-being, and longevity.

The core message is that building and maintaining muscular strength throughout life – not just in old age – is essential for numerous health benefits, including increased lifespan and functional independence.

Key Takeaways:

• Strength Reserve: Building strength early in life creates a "strength reserve" to draw upon during periods of injury, inactivity, or illness.
• Lifespan Benefits: A greater "strength span" throughout life is linked to:
• Reduced risk of all-cause mortality
• Improved physical function and independence
• Better cardiometabolic health
• Enhanced psychosocial well-being
• Childhood Strength Training:Combats childhood inactivity by increasing confidence and competence in physical activity.
• Positively correlates with academic performance, on-task behavior, and cognitive function.
• Adulthood Strength Training:Independently reduces the risk of major non-communicable diseases and all-cause mortality.
• Slows the decline of biological processes contributing to disease and disability.
• Older Adulthood Strength Training:Preserves fast-twitch muscle fibers, crucial for power and balance.
• Improves functional capacity, reducing fall risk and improving daily living activities.

Important Quotes:

• On childhood strength training: "Low levels of muscular strength are a key driver of pediatric physical inactivity, contributing to decreased participation in play, exercise, and sport."
• On the importance of strength in adulthood: "Improvements in muscular strength and function during adulthood can attenuate the decline in biological processes... that contribute to serious disease or disability."
• On maintaining strength in older adulthood: "Strong clinical evidence indicates that participation in muscle strengthening activities is independently associated with physical benefits which enhance functional capacity in older adults."
• A call to action: "We need a stronger call to action... to dispel misperceptions about prescribing strength exercise for children and raise awareness of the importance of muscle strengthening activities long before adulthood."

Recommended Actions:

• Encourage strength training for individuals of all ages.
• Educate the public and healthcare providers about the safety and benefits of childhood strength training.
• Prioritize strength training in conjunction with aerobic activity for holistic health.

Suggested reading:

Bridging the gap between strengthspan and lifespan

https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/58/14/758

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