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Apr 2024
51m 17s

#089 Why Exercise Intensity Matters for ...

RHONDA PATRICK, PH.D.
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I recently had the privilege of presenting at the CrossFit Health Summit, where I explored a constellation of factors contributing to longevity. In this context, I placed a special emphasis on the pivotal role of vigorous exercise throughout life.

Timestamps

  • (00:00) Introduction
  • (03:12) Why "below normal" cardio may be a great starting point
  • (05:07) The simple math of 45 days of life extension (per 1 mL/kg/min VO2max)
  • (06:12) Why poor cardiovascular fitness is nearly as bad as a chronic disease
  • (06:52) Why zone 2 training may not improve VO2 max
  • (08:08) Protocols for improving VO2 max quickly
  • (09:10) How to estimate VO2 max in 12 minutes;
  • (10:07) Reversing 20 years of heart aging
  • (12:41) Blood pressure benefits of vigorous exercise
  • (13:29) The BDNF brain benefits of high-intensity exercise
  • (14:05) The signaling role of lactate production by muscle
  • (16:13) How training effortfully improves focus & attention
  • (17:23) Anti-cancer effects of vigorous exercise
  • (18:11) Why shear stress kills circulating tumor cells
  • (19:00) What if you exercise in short bursts all day long?
  • (20:06) Why "exercise snacks" are a crucial pre- and post-mealtime activity
  • (20:49) The best ways to improve mitochondrial biogenesis
  • (21:47) The mortality benefits of breaking up sedentary time
  • (26:17) Why the protein RDA is too low 
  • (29:07) Does omega-3 reduce muscle atrophy?
  • (30:41) Why we should lift for aging and to prevent the 8% per decade decline of muscle
  • (32:03) Is lifting heavy necessary for gaining muscle?
  • (33:06) What the sauna has in common with exercise
  • (34:45) Does the sauna enhance the benefits of exercise?
  • (36:44) How heat shock proteins prevent plaque aggregation & slow muscle atrophy
  • (38:23) Can sauna after resistance training boost hypertrophy?
  • (39:06) Optimal sauna parameters
  • (39:59) Comparing traditional saunas to infrared
  • (40:59) Hot baths vs. saunas
  • (42:19) Is EPA or DHA responsible for omega-3's effects on disuse atrophy?
  • (43:53) Are endurance athletes at risk for cardiovascular injury?
  • (44:57) What mechanisms are responsible for sauna's benefits?
  • (47:08) Is a sauna temperature above 200 F too hot?
  • (49:31) My recommended sauna temperature & duration

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