Getting older something we must all face. But, that does not have to be a bad thing.
Through the active choices we make, our golden years can be the best time for new hobbies and great life adventures, rather than a physically challenging time where we find ourselves trying to go up the stairs without back-pain.
Whether we chose to part-take or not, we are all familiar with the health benefits that come with sports and exercising, such as quality sleep, improved heart-rate, controlled blood pressure and a positively boosted mood.
However, as we get older, the need to engage in exercise becomes higher but the energy and determination drops lower.
Why it is important to actively make an effort to become more active as we grow older?
With an emphasis on Boxing, this is exactly what we will be looking at throughout this article!
? Boxing is an aerobic workout. The term ‘aerobic’ means with oxygen. What this means is that boxing provides cardiovascular conditioning, which is beneficial for an increased and healthy heart-rate along with supplying the muscles with oxygen, to help them move and burn fuel.
? Boxing is also a mentally challenging sport, which requires precision, practice, rhythm and coordination. By working on precise movements, acknowledging strengths and vulnerabilities and practicing, people who engage in boxing develop better mental health, a positive and affirmative attitude and stronger motor skills.
Boxing is an aerobic workout and a form of strength training. By engaging in boxing, you are able to engage in both styles of training and make the most of your workout, maximizing health benefits.
In a study conducted to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of a 12-week boxing training (HIIT) intervention compared with an equivalent dose of brisk walking (MICT) in older adults, with abdominal obesity, it was concluded that the boxing group significantly improved body fat percentage, systolic blood pressure, augmentation index and physical functioning, over time (BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil, 2015).
Ellen Billet of Nottingham Trent University studied the levels of phenylethylamine (a chemical found in chocolate) in 20 young men before and after exercising on a treadmill at 70 percent maximum heart-rate capacity. The men were asked to rate the exercise level they felt, and then were tested for this chemical. The level had risen around 77 percent.
Phenylethylamine is known to boost moods as fast as amphetamines without the side effects, or creating a tolerance to the chemical.
Although elderly folk might not be able to replicate such workout routine, it is important to acknowledge the 77% boosted level of phenylethylamine and critically think about how, despite a shorter and less intense workout, the elderly will feel some capacity of boosted phenylethylamine, resulting in a happier and healthier lifestyle.
In closing, boxing comes from overcoming adversity and resistance. It takes courage to embrace your vulnerabilities and step into the ring, having confidence on your strengths and facing an opponent. Most importantly, it takes dedication. As a twenty year old, your dedication might be to become a renown national boxer or bring home medals or elevate your mental and physical health in order to keep up with social and academic life. As an elderly, your dedication should be to lead a healthy life, where going up the stairs or opening a jar are not considered challenges.
June 14, 2021
