Exercise mistakes that shorten your life

From reducing the risk of heart disease, type II diabetes, and even some types of cancer, to strengthening bones and muscles, exercise has many benefits. But there are some mistakes that can sabotage a well-intentioned workout and even shorten your life.

Do you like to exercise outdoors or indoors?

Studies show that people who exercise outdoors have more energy and less depression, anger, and tension than those who exercise indoors.

But if you exercise outdoors, be careful about the quality of the air. A study published in the Journal Cardiovascular Research found that smog shortens life by an average of three years, and air pollution is linked to 43% of premature cardiovascular deaths.

Too much regular strenuous activity can also shorten your lifespan. A Swedish study found that doing high-intensity interval training, or HIIT, too often can impair mitochondrial function and increase insulin resistance.

“Mitochondrial dysfunction is linked to heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cognitive decline, and just about every conceivable condition,” explains Dr. Rajagopal Sekhar, an associate professor at Baylor School of Medicine.

Worrying about exercise can actually shorten your life. A Stanford University study found that people who thought they were less active than others their age were more likely to die, regardless of health status and BMI.

Another exercise mistake that can shorten your life is focusing on strength instead of power. They may sound like the same thing, but strength focuses on how much you can lift, while power represents both speed and strength.

Researchers say that muscle strength is more important for longevity than muscle strength. For example, getting up from a chair late in life has more to do with muscle strength.