Throughout history, mankind’s search for the key to reversing the effects of aging has been elusive. However, it may be that the answer has been right in front of the mirror this entire time. Hall of Fame bodybuilder Lee Labrada once said, “Bodybuilding is the closest thing we will ever have to the fountain of youth.” Bodybuilding is a sport, art, and lifestyle where the cornerstone philosophy is the constant improvement and strengthening on one’s body and mind. The components that make up this complicated sport are training, nutrition, and posing. These three components must each be maximized to the individual’s potential in order to achieve the desired end result which is a muscular and low-fat physique.
Bodybuilding is unique in that each athlete must follow their own custom program to achieve their individual goals.
On a daily basis, steps must be taken to ensure that the proper foods are being eaten, sufficient water is being supplied, proper recovery time is provided, and training is structured to build the body over the course of weeks, months and years. Unlike other sports and jobs, bodybuilding is a constant, around-the-clock type of work that demands ceaseless attention. It can be seen that this sport is very individualistic and so a selfish sport.
However, if the purpose of this sport is to develop and strengthen the body and mind, this discipline will actually allow the athlete to provide and serve others with that much more energy and power. The idea is similar to what flight attendants explain during the safety presentation of flights: “Put your own oxygen mask on before helping another person.” In a time where people expect us to make sacrifices for them, we eventually spread ourselves so thin we lose time and sense to care for ourselves resulting in us depending on others for our well-being wherein as bodybuilding we can always remain self-sufficient due to the maintenance of discipline and the energy received from proper recovery, nutrition, and training.
Now what does bodybuilding have to do with aging?
There are four major factors that contribute to the body’s aging process. These factors include:
- Atrophy of muscle tissue
- Accumulation of adipose tissue
- Decrease in bone density
- Deteriorating brain function
These factors are what contributes to the breakdown of the body and the fading of the mind. It can be characterized as the effects of aging. Fortunately, bodybuilding and its components have proved in multiple cases that living the bodybuilding lifestyle may prevent or slow these four aging factors on any individual.
The first factor that contributes to the process of aging is the atrophy, or breakdown, of muscle tissue.
This usually happens because an individual has dramatically decreased the amount of physical activity done on a regular basis. Preservation and growth of muscle tissue is what keeps the body’s internal process functioning optimally. Also, externally it supports the movements of the body. We can conceptualize it as a “use it or lose it” kind of situation. Very put simply, movement on a regular basis; whether it be exercise, walking, yoga, etc. is a key factor to slowing the aging process.
From a bodybuilding standpoint, the goal of the individual is to stimulate muscle growth through the use of anaerobic exercise. By continuously triggering the growth factor of muscle stimulation, the body’s metabolism becomes more optimal as the amount of muscle mass increases. This increase in muscle mass sets the foundation of health and longevity in the course of a lifetime.
Another factor that attributes to the aging process is the accumulation of adipose (fat) tissue.
The first factor goes hand in hand with the second. Usually when an individual decreases their activity level, they fail to adjust the amount or types of foods they eat. This consumption of excess foods and wrong foods in combination with the decrease in activity level causes the body to not use the consumed food as energy, but to store it as fat.
Since energy is not being expended by the individual, the body’s ability to process consumed food to build new muscle tissue deteriorates, causing it to be made into fat tissue instead. In bodybuilding, the goal is to maximize muscle growth and minimize body fat. This is achieved primarily through consistent nutrition awareness. The individual must eat as much as possible to provide the energy necessary to stimulate muscle growth and as healthy and lean as possible to prevent fat storage. It must be noted that in the goal to minimizing fat tissue, muscle development is the best long-term solution. The more muscle mass present, the faster the metabolism. The faster the metabolism, the better the body is at processing food and fat tissue.
The third factor is a result of the same as the first and second factors.
As an individual decreases their activity level, their bone density begins to decrease. This results in joint pain, a decrease in white blood cell count (weak immune system), and decreases mobility. It can be seen that aging people tend to shrink in size, sometimes losing 6-12 inches from their height. Due to decreased activity level and improper nutrition, the body’s ability to maintain bone density is compromised. The skeleton is the frame of the body. It connects everything together and if it is not made strong, the rest of the body weakens with it.
A key factor in maintaining bone density is the use of stabilizing muscles with time under tension. This means that by putting the muscles under pressure over time will stimulate bone density. It will add strength over time. So heavyweight, with proper form, for slow reps as long as possible helps stimulate the growth of bone cells and connective tissue. This conservation of bone density and connective tissue greatly influences the longevity of an individual’s body.
The last factor is without doubt the most complex.
This is because so many factors can contribute to the cause of loss of brain function as a person ages. The amount of focus and attention to detail a bodybuilder needs to have is astronomical. In a bodybuilding mind, one must be constantly aware of what they are eating, how much they are sleeping, how much they are training, how they look on a moment to moment basis. These things one must be mindful of are actually things we tend to neglect as we age. A simple concept can be taken here: that just being mindful of what one is doing in order to achieve their goals helps them stay mentally stable and slows down the aging process from a brain functionality standpoint.
People usually see bodybuilding as a selfish and vain sport. From the outside, it may seem that way, but if most knew the reason behind this kind of lifestyle. Many more would be inclined to integrate it into their own lives. Bodybuilding is a lifestyle that allows an individual to take control of their habits and body. It promotes health and longevity. It prevents or slows down the four key factors that contribute to the aging process:
- Atrophy of muscle tissue
- Accumulation of adipose tissue
- Decrease in bone density
- Deteriorating brain function
The purpose of bodybuilding has been muddled with the people focusing on the physical manifestation they witness on stage or in the magazines. Most believe the purpose is the body when in reality, the purpose is the longevity and health it produces. Therefore, the body is just a reflection of the lifestyle. Therefore in order to have the body desired, its lifestyle must reflect that.
