THE ESSENTIAL
- Physical activity could slow or prevent age-related macular degeneration, as well as the development of glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy
- Physical activity would reduce the proliferation of blood vessels by 45%
- Researchers hope to develop a method that will give the benefits of physical exercise without having to do it
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We know that regular physical activity is good for physical and mental health. A recent study by researchers from university of virginia (United States) reports in addition to this, the benefits of physical activity on eyesight, in particular because it would help slow or even prevent age-related macular degeneration, as well as the development of glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, which affects 50% of patients type 2 diabetics.
A decrease in the proliferation of blood vessels
This is an unprecedented discovery, since the virtues of a healthy lifestyle on vision has always been studied through questionnaires. Now, this time, the researchers provide “tangible evidence ” obtained in the laboratory on mice. By comparing two groups of rodents, they observed that those who voluntarily exercised by running in their wheel reduced the proliferation of their blood vessels by up to 45%, compared to the other group which did not move. By repeating the experiment, they observed a 32% decrease in the proliferation of blood vessels.
However, researchers are not yet sure how participating in physical activity can reduce the proliferation of blood vessels in the eyes. “The next step is to understand how and why it happens, and to determine if we can develop a pill or method that will give the benefits of exercise without having to do it ”, explains Bradley Gelfand, lead author of the study, referring in particular to the elderly and disabled who are unable to exercise.
“One of the reasons why I wanted to conduct this somewhat selfish study: I was hoping to find a reason not to exercise. ”, he joked, before recalling that it was of course essential for health to practice regularly when possible.
Official recommendations
In France, the official recommendation disseminated under the National Nutrition Health Program (PNNS) since 2002 is practice the equivalent of at least 30 minutes of brisk walking per day. As the government, pFor adults, it is recommended to practice 30 minutes of physical activity developing cardio-respiratory capacity of moderate to high intensity, at least 5 days per week, avoiding staying 2 consecutive days without practicing.
“Cardiorespiratory and muscular activities can be integrated into the same activity or during the same day. For children and adolescents aged 6 to 17, it is recommended to practice at least 60 minutes per day of moderate to high intensity physical activity ”.
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