Want to feel a decade younger? A new BYU study may have the answer
(KUTV) Jenna Scow is what you might call "very active."
The 25-year-old mother of two works out at Provo CrossFit one hour a day, six days a week. And it shows.
"I can go to the park and run around with (my kids) and keep up with them," Scow said. "On a regular basis, people are like, I wish I had the stamina of that kid. Well, I do!"
Scow's story is an illustration of what Larry Tucker, professor of exercise science at Brigham Young University, discovered. In a new study published last week, Tucker found that those adults who work out five days a week -- at least 30 minutes -- had cells that were nine years younger biologically than those who just sit around.
"You could feel younger, and your body would be functioning at a much younger age," Tucker said. "And you're much less likely to die."
Boston Carvalho, the Provo CrossFit head coach, sees this all the time -- especially among older athltes.
"They come in and over time, you see them progress," said Carvalho, "and they work out just as efficiently as a 30-year-old."
The best part? Tucker says anyone can start working out. He suggests creating a walking program first before moving on to jogging and cycling.
"This is definitely do-able within common, everyday people," he said. "I would be foolish not to be highly active."
Scow hasn't always worked out this much. Now, she can't imagine a day without it.
"It's what gets me through the day," she said, sweating and panting after another intense workout. "It's the best part of the day."
You can read Tucker's full study below:
