A doctor has revealed that strengthening a specific body part could “add years to your life”. According to the expert, having strong thighs could be the “secret” to longevity.
Many factors contribute to how long we are expected to live. Some of these are beyond our control, such as genetics, disease, and injury.
However, we are able to adjust others, like our diets and how often we get medical check-ups. Our exercise routine also plays a role, with regular physical activity known to keep us healthier.
For this reason, the NHS recommends engaging in at least 150 minutes of exercise a week. But focusing your exercise on a certain area of the body could also be beneficial.
In a video uploaded to his Instagram account, Doctor Kunal Sood explained to his 1.9 million followers one way to boost longevity. He explained how having strong quadriceps – a large muscle at the front of the thigh – can affect your life expectancy.
He said: “The secret to a long life might be in your thighs. Recent studies show that skeletal muscle strength, particularly in your quadriceps, is a strong predictor of overall health and longevity.
“In patients with coronary artery disease, or CAD, stronger quadriceps are linked to significantly lower risk of both all-cause and cardiovascular-related mortality.” Coronary artery disease, which is also known as coronary heart disease, is one of the biggest killers in the UK, contributing to 66,000 deaths every year.
It occurs when your heart’s blood supply is blocked or interrupted by a build-up of fatty substances in the coronary arteries. Dr Sood referenced a scientific study, published in the American Journal of Medicine in 2015.
As part of this research, the team analysed data on 1,314 patients aged over 30 with CAD who were hospitalised for acute coronary syndrome or coronary artery bypass grafting. Over an average follow up period of three to five years there were 118 all-cause deaths and 63 cardiovascular deaths among the patients.
The death rate was found to be higher among patients with lower quadricep strength. Study authors concluded: “A high level of quadriceps strength was strongly associated with a lower risk of both all cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with CAD.
“Evaluation of QIS (quadriceps isometric strength) offered incremental prognostic information beyond pre-existing risk factors.” However, Dr Sood said that this correlation is not just applicable to people with heart problems.
He continued: “But it’s not just CAD patients. Research shows that greater upper and lower body strength can reduce the risk of death across the general population regardless of age.”
Dr Sood referenced another study, published in the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation in 2018. This found that having higher grip strength and knee strength were associated with a longer lifespan.
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Study authors wrote: “Higher levels of upper- and lower-body muscular strength are associated with a lower risk of mortality in adult population, regardless of age and follow-up period. Muscular strength tests can be easily performed to identify people with lower muscular strength and, consequently, with an increased risk of mortality.”
To improve your thigh strength, Dr Sood recommended three exercises – squats, lunges, and resistance training. He added: “ So remember leg day is not just about fitness. Strengthening your legs with exercises like squats, lunges, and resistance training can actually help you add years to your life. Make sure you don’t skip leg day.”