The Fountain of Youth? Plyometrics and Longevity

03/08/25 • 11 min

Story at-a-glance

Plyometric training, which includes jumping and hopping exercises, helps older adults improve muscle strength and balance, as well as bone density, reducing their risk of falls and fractures
Older adults who engage in supervised plyometric exercises experience significant improvements in lower-body power, making everyday movements like standing up and walking safer and easier
Even short-term plyometric training — lasting as little as four weeks — results in measurable gains in strength, agility and balance, with the most significant results seen in those who start with lower baseline strength
Upping the intensity of exercise stimulates bone growth by triggering your body’s natural bone-building processes, making plyometric training an effective way to combat osteoporosis and maintain skeletal health
When combined with resistance training, plyometric exercises provide the best overall benefits for muscle function and fall prevention, helping older adults maintain independence and mobility as they age

Story at-a-glance

Plyometric training, which includes jumping and hopping exercises, helps older adults improve muscle strength and balance, as well as bone density, reducing their risk of falls and fractures
Older adults who engage in supervised plyometric exercises experience significant improvements in lower-body power, making everyday movements like standing up and walking safer and easier
Even short-term plyometric training — lasting as little as four weeks — results in measurable gains in strength, agility and balance, with the most significant results seen in those who start with lower baseline strength
Upping the intensity of exercise stimulates bone growth by triggering your body’s natural bone-building processes, making plyometric training an effective way to combat osteoporosis and maintain skeletal health
When combined with resistance training, plyometric exercises provide the best overall benefits for muscle function and fall prevention, helping older adults maintain independence and mobility as they age

Story at-a-glance

Childbirth is one of the most important life events, but over the last two hundred years, it has become highly medicalized and is no longer viewed as a natural life event. That shift has greatly harmed us
Routine hospital interventions have many real risks that will be covered here
The overuse of interventions often results in needing more interventions, including C-sections, all of which can be harmful to both the mother, the mother’s bond to the child, and the long-term health of the child
Immediate post-birth practices like skin-to-skin contact and delayed cord clamping provide significant benefits, yet hospitals often prioritize quick procedures over these evidence-based approaches
The article will explore some of the most critical things to know about the home and hospital birthing process so that you can make the best decision for your family's health

Story at-a-glance

Cigarette smoke weakens your body's immune cells, making it harder to fight off respiratory infections and increasing the risk of lung diseases
Maternal smoking during pregnancy triggers abnormal immune responses in children, leading to higher risks of allergic conditions such as asthma and atopic dermatitis
Smoking alters immune system function, causing prolonged inflammation and genetic damage that creates an environment conducive to malignant cell growth
Smoking impacts both innate and adaptive immune responses, with some short-term inflammatory changes reversing after quitting, while adaptive immune modifications persist longer
Quitting smoking requires identifying personal triggers, avoiding e-cigarettes, maintaining an active lifestyle and using mind-body techniques to manage cravings