Is physical exercise a protective agent against the way we currently age? A narrative review.

Abstract

Aging is an inherent process to living beings that involves a deterioration of homeostatic regulation and functional reserve. Currently, the aging population has high levels of physical inactivity that aggravates muscle disuse, which in turn drastically affects functional capacity and quality of life. The aim of this narrative review is to present aging conditions and the protective role of physical exercise in functional reserve and capacity in relation to how we currently age. The regular practice of physical exercise provokes several favorable responses to the preservation of neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory function, which has a direct impact on physical capacity, even benefiting cognitive function. Physical exercise has been shown to have a protective effect on different systems, apart from contributing to the preservation of functionality and self-efficacy, which is why it is essential for healthy aging, since it favors a better resolution to stressful events such as falls and/or diseases. In conclusion, even though physical exercise does not prevent the deleterious conditions of aging, its effects are positively related to the maintenance of systemic functional reserve and capacity, which translates into greater autonomy, independence and quality of life related to health in the last stage of the life cycle.