To view the original, well referenced blog post look here.

So the MRI’s shows it, being active is a no brainer.

Comparing the images above… which leg would you rather have when you are 70?
• Image 2: Sedentarism?
• Image 3: Active lifestyle?

As you can see the active triathlete has more lean muscle mass, less fat (adipose) tissue, and thicker bones. Looks pretty good to remain active doesn’t it.

I once heard Craig Liebenson, DC say that we need patients to ‘fear inactivity, more than they fear activity’. And almost every great athlete has someone knowledgeable helping them choose appropriate movements, exercises, and activity.

With this being said, there is another side. Elite athletes and extreme performance are not exactly the best examples of healthy living. While there are clear benefits to remaining active, at the extremes there is some negative consequence as well. These feats of athleticism place a toll on the body as well. And in some instances a shortened average lifespan, such as the NFL player.

So what body will you have as you age, the couch potato or the ultra-marathoner? Or how about something in between? There is some middle ground and maybe the focus should be on long term active lifestyle based around a solid core of function. Just some food for thought.