How to Age Well, Superhero-Style – Researchers analyzed what popular superheroes are or are not doing well when it comes to keeping their minds and bodies healthy
A group of researchers immersed themselves in the world of Marvel superheroes to see what these champions are or are not doing well when it comes to keeping their minds and bodies healthy as they advance toward their senior years
Researchers analyzed what popular superheroes are or are not doing well when it comes to keeping their minds and bodies healthy
January 10, 2022 11:48 AM ESTIt’s not easy being a superhero: They have enemies. They have monumental tasks to accomplish. They’re constantly battered. Beyond those dangers, however, they also practice several healthy behaviors that could carry them well into old age.
That’s what a team of Australian researchers, as published in the light-hearted Christmas 2021 issue of the journalThe BMJ.During pandemic lockdowns, the researchers immersed themselves in the world of Marvel superheroes. Their goal was to discover what these champions are or are not doing well when it comes to keeping their minds and bodies healthy as they advance toward their senior years—information that we regular mortals can incorporate into our New Year’s resolutions and apply to our own lives, too.
Lead researcher Ruth Hubbard, a professor of geriatric medicine at the University of Queensland, started watching the movies with her children, and then realized she could have fun analyzing the superheroes’ behaviors while gleaning information for her specialty: “Working out why some people experience declines in their health status,” she says, “and others remain robust and independent.” headtopics.com
Hubbard watched 24 Marvel movies released between 2008 (Iron Man) and 2021 (Black Widow). Her team paid particular attention to five characters: Iron Man, the Hulk, Black Widow, Black Panther and Spiderman.Here are the top tips:Exercise regularly“The superheroes exhibit many positive behaviors, particularly their engagement in exercise and high levels of physical activity,” Hubbard says. They also often log bursts of high-intensity interval training during their fights. While it’s best to avoid fighting, Hubbard recommends doing
that challenges your muscles, balance and heart.Keep moving Read Full Article Here
