Today's articles include miraculous feats of biomedical engineering and clear evidence that it's not too late to extend your life– if you know how.

We'll start with news of a groundbreaking microchip technology that could revolutionize the way doctors monitor fracture healing. But will this new ability result in healthier bones or just more drug prescriptions?

Then we'll look at startling survey results which suggest that Americans' unwillingness to experience mild discomfort may be rendering them unable to perform tasks that require physical exertion.

We'll end with good news. Your past habits don't necessarily follow you into the future. This study found that becoming active at any age provided a profound reduction in the risk of early death.

Bone Microchip Proposed To Monitor Bone Health

A team of biomedical engineers has created a paper-thin, penny-sized microchip that adheres to the surface of bones. The tiny computer would be able to measure different components of bones and transmit the data.

The chip is small enough to avoid irritating surrounding skeletal muscle and it doesn't require a battery. The chips communicate via a technology called near-field communication– the same method that allows for contactless pay using cell phones.

Relevant Excerpt:

“The team believes physicians will be able to attach these microchips to broken or fractured bones during surgery, which will monitor the healing process moving forward. Study authors say this would be key for osteoporosis patients, who often suffer refractures after a major injury.

Knowing in real time how well a bone is healing can help doctors in the future figure out the right treatment options after surgery. It can also inform doctors about when it’s time to remove plates and screws which often hold bones together after a break.”¹

Hopefully, this technology will help the Medical Establishment recognize that density is not the only important metric of bone health .

Time will tell if this device will be used to justify the prescription of ineffective osteoporosis drugs.

Synopsis

Biomedical engineers have invented a paper-thin, penny-sized microchip that adheres to the surface of bone to take and transmit measurements of bone health. The chips are intended for patients who have undergone surgery to repair a fracture.

Americans Prove Easily Exhausted

A survey of 2,000 Americans found that two in five people feel exhausted by climbing up or down a flight of stairs. The survey primarily focused on respondents' experiences with muscle soreness, and whether it deters people from getting regular exercise.

Half of the respondents said they felt like exercising would be a lot of work. Slightly less than half reported dreading post-workout soreness or aches and pains. This is likely evidence of delayed onset muscle soreness. That soreness is evidence of new muscle mass creation.

The survey found that 38% of respondents were uncomfortably sore after doing strength or weight training, 38% after doing yard work, and 37% after cardio exercise. Three in five survey participants reported reluctance to exercise at all.

Relevant Excerpt:

“More than three in five people have tried DIY remedies instead of painkillers to relieve muscle soreness or aches. According to respondents, the most effective solutions include hot or cold packs (86%), more stretching (76%), essential oils (59%), and a massage gun (57%).
Americans also expressed a willingness to relieve their soreness in other ways, including massage therapy (53%) and assisted stretching (31%). More than a quarter are even open to trying cupping therapy (26%).”²

The survey was paid for by a company that sells massage services, assisted stretching sessions, and other body work.

Stretching before and after physical activity can help to reduce delayed onset muscle soreness. However, a certain amount of soreness is a sign that your workout has been effective. But too much might be an indication that your workout is too intense, which could lead to injury.

Don't let muscle soreness prevent you from getting the exercise that your muscles and bones need to grow stronger.

Synopsis

A survey of 2,000 Americans found that two out of five are easily exhausted by regular activities like climbing up or down a flight of stairs. It also found that three in five are reluctant to exercise, and tied that reluctance to delayed onset muscle soreness. However, light soreness after a workout is evidence that the body is growing new muscle mass.

It's Never Too Late To Get The Benefits Of Exercise

Even if you've never been very physically active, starting a regular exercise routine now can extend your life. That's the conclusion of a major study that followed 33,576 patients with coronary heart disease.

The researchers assessed the activity levels of the participants twice over an average of 7.2 years. They were considered active if they did 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week, 75 minutes of vigorous activity, or a combination of the two levels.

Relevant Excerpt:

“Patients were divided into four groups according to their activity status at baseline and follow-up: inactive over time, active over time, increased activity over time, and decreased activity over time. All the studies defined “increased activity overtime” as moving from the inactive to the active category and “decreased activity overtime” as moving from the active to the inactive category.
The researchers examined the risks of all-cause death and death from cardiovascular disease according to the four groups. Compared to patients who were inactive over time, the risk of all-cause death was 50% lower in those who were active over time, 45% lower in those who were inactive but became active, and 20% lower in those who had been active but became inactive.
Similar results were observed for death due to cardiovascular disease. Compared to those who remained inactive, the risk for cardiovascular mortality was 51% lower among those who remained active and 27% lower for those whose activity increased. “³

Those reductions in the risk of all-cause death are incredible. A consistently active lifestyle is the least risky, as we would expect. Becoming active still nets an enormous risk reduction when compared to remaining inactive.

Exercise has a powerful and immediate positive effect on our bodies and our health. Don't let your past habits dictate your future, or limit the span of your life and health. This study shows that the exercise you do today is effective, regardless of whether you did it yesterday.

Synopsis

A major study followed 33,576 patients with coronary heart disease over seven years and found that the risk of all-cause death was lower by half in people who were consistently active over that period. Participants who became active over that time lowered their risk of all-cause death by 45% compared to those who remained inactive. Regardless of when you start, exercise has a powerful and immediate positive impact on your health and longevity.

What This Means To You

Get a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week. You don't need a tiny micro-chip to know that your bones will benefit from regular weight-bearing exercise. And Savers know better than to let a little post-workout muscle soreness prevent them from extending their lifespans and building their bones.

No matter how often you've exercised in the past, building a regular routine will improve your life and your future. The Save Institute created SaveTrainer to make working out easy and enjoyable. Professional trainers make each session highly effective and simple to follow. The on-demand videos are customizable to your fitness level and designed to get stronger, feel younger, and live a healthier, longer, and more fulfilling life.

Keep up the good work!

References

¹ https://www.studyfinds.org/microchip-computer-on-the-bone/

² https://www.studyfinds.org/exhausted-walking-up-stairs-exercise-pain/

³ https://www.escardio.org/The-ESC/Press-Office/Press-releases/It-s-never-too-late-to-get-active