Muscle power linked to longevity

Building muscle power, a combination of strength and speed when lifting weights, promotes longer life, according to findings presented at the annual meeting of the European Society of Cardiology. In a study of 3,878 volunteers, those with the greatest muscle power were up to 13 times less likely to pass away over seven years than those who had the least muscle power. Having above-average muscle power was linked to a fivefold decrease in risk. The study authors say increasing muscle power requires strength, flexibility and balance—functions vital to longevity—and recommend building muscle power with “explosive” full-body exercises like throwing a medicine ball.