Are you aware that exercise provides benefits beyond heart and muscular health? Recent research shows aerobic and resistance training can make skin look younger and healthier by preventing skin ageing.
So, how does it work exactly? While aerobic exercise improves circulation, it also gets rid of waste and toxins from your body. On the other hand, resistance training can help you build muscle and strength, supporting your skin’s collagen and making it look firmer and toned.
Regular exercise improves skin, cardiovascular fitness, and muscle strength; however, more research needs to explore its effects on skin health.
A closer look at the study
Researchers at Ritsumeikan University in Kusatsu, Japan, conducted a study to examine the impact of aerobic and resistance training on skin health in middle-aged women. The study involved 56 inactive women, with 26 participants performing aerobic exercise and 30 participants undergoing resistance training twice a week for 16 weeks.
Researchers randomised the study and analysed the results to assess the effectiveness of each type of training in enhancing skin health in middle-aged women.
Discoveries from the study
- The elasticity and structure of the skin:
Notably, resistance training and aerobic exercise can both enhance the structure and elasticity of the skin. According to research, these sorts of exercises can result in a significant improvement in skin quality. So, whether you recommend your patients prefer running on the treadmill or lifting weights, you’re doing their skin a big favour!
- Dermal thickness:
Research shows that resistance training greatly impacts dermal thickness, suggesting a significant change in skin structure compared to aerobic training alone. All things considered, this indicates resistance training is a promising strategy for improving skin health and general wellness.
- Gene expression:
Blood testing has shown fascinating results in gene expression changes associated with dermal extracellular matrix components. It includes collagens and proteoglycans after both types of training.
Interestingly, aerobic training significantly boosts the expression of collagen genes, while resistance training enhances the expression of proteoglycan-related genes.
These findings shed light on the cellular benefits of different types of training and may help us optimise exercise programmes.
The implications of the study
The outcomes from the study are truly remarkable since aerobic and resistance training improve middle-aged women’s skin health. We have long known that aerobic exercise improves cardiovascular health, while weight training can boost skin thickness and structure. These findings show that exercise can improve our physical health, appearance, and confidence.
In summary
Even though there are many reasons for skin ageing, an active lifestyle can prove beneficial in slowing down this process. Understanding exercise’s diverse benefits is crucial for holistic health and wellness in an increasingly health-conscious society. A combined effort of aerobic and resistance training can improve cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, and skin health as one ages.
The causes of skin ageing can have a multitude of reasons. So, next time a patient asks, “How to slow down ageing skin?” or “How to reduce skin ageing naturally?” recommend these anti-ageing exercises.