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Two studies by Ohio State University researchers, conclude that exercise and a reduction in marital hostility may speed up the healing process.
The November study, published in the Journal of Gerontology, found that regular exercise speeded the recovery of sedentary older adults aged 55 to 77. The 15 adults in the non-exercising group healed in an average of 39 days; the 13 exercising adults healed in about 29 days.
Charles Emery, lead researcher said, "Exercise may simply lower stress allowing the body to heal more efficiently. But the results could also suggest that exercise triggers an enhanced immune system response," he said.
The other study, which was published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, found that "hostile marital behaviors" impede wound healing, according to the findings.
Forty-two married couples, ages 22 to 77, were admitted to a hospital on two separate occasions - once to talk normally and a second time to discuss a disagreement. At the time of the visits, they were inflicted with blister wounds on their forearms.
Couples who had "consistently higher levels of hostile behaviors across both the interactions" healed at 60 percent of the rate of low-hostility couples, the study concludes.
Wounds in the marital study "took a day longer to heal than it did when they weren't fighting," said Ron Glaser, co-author of the study.
Because the exercise findings are preliminary and the wounds tested were minor, the authors don't know if the results are "generalizable to someone who has been in an accident or who has had surgery," said Emery. But it's likely that "the quicker someone gets up (and becomes physically active) following a wound of any kind, probably the better," he said.
Stop arguing, start exercising and kickstart the healing process.
Posted by Kevin Kelly at
January 18, 2006 08:52 AM