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Dr. Nick Pappas Recommends Squats as the Key to Longevity and Health Preservation
Edited by: TJVNews.com
Dr. Nick Pappas, a renowned board-certified hand surgeon based in the New Orleans area, is sharing a simple yet powerful piece of health advice: don’t skip squats. In a recent TikTok video, Dr. Pappas emphasized the importance of this foundational exercise, stating, “If there’s one exercise you should try to do consistently, I would make it squats.” According to a report in The New York Post, Pappas believes that regularly performing squats can help individuals live longer and lead healthier lives, particularly by combating the natural decline in muscle mass that occurs as we age.
After the age of 35, people typically lose 1% to 2% of muscle mass each year due to sarcopenia, a condition that gradually weakens the body. Dr. Pappas highlights how crucial it is to preserve muscle mass, noting that squats engage three of the largest muscle groups in the lower body: the gluteus maximus, quadriceps, and hamstrings. Strengthening these key muscles through consistent squats helps maintain overall mobility and strength, which are essential as we age. As The New York Post reports, Pappas encourages his followers to make leg day a priority, suggesting that it could contribute to not only longer life but also a healthier one.
Supporting Pappas’ advice, The New York Post cites a report from the Cleveland Clinic that details the wide-ranging benefits of squats. These include strengthening the core, burning calories, improving posture, and enhancing stability and balance. Squats are a full-body workout in disguise, helping to activate and engage muscles throughout the body, making them an effective tool for both muscle preservation and general fitness.
Celebrity trainer Megan Roup, founder of The Sculpt Society, has also weighed in on the benefits of squats, demonstrating proper form to Well+Good to maximize results and prevent injury. Roup advises that individuals start by positioning their feet nice and wide, keeping their chest proud, and shifting their weight back into their heels as they lower down. “Ignite your glutes and squeeze back up,” Roup instructs. As was noted in The New York Post report, Roup, like Pappas, emphasizes the importance of maintaining proper form, warning against common mistakes such as hunching the back or overextending the hips. Good squat form is essential to avoid injury and to make sure the targeted muscles are effectively engaged.
According to Dr. Pappas, squats can be tailored to suit individual needs and fitness levels. “Squats can be done with or without resistance (bodyweight is OK if you have hip, back, or knee problems),” he explained in his TikTok video, as reported by The New York Post. However, Pappas noted that adding resistance—whether through weights or resistance bands—can help build and maintain muscle more effectively. For those with knee pain or mobility issues, modifications are available. The New York Times recently shared tips on how to adjust squats for comfort, including reducing the depth of the squat, turning toes outward by about 30 degrees, and adopting a wider stance to alleviate pressure on the knees.
By incorporating squats into a regular workout routine, individuals can protect themselves against muscle loss, maintain mobility, and contribute to a healthier, more active lifestyle. Dr. Pappas’ straightforward advice has gained traction on social media, with fitness enthusiasts and health experts alike acknowledging the simplicity and effectiveness of this foundational exercise. The New York Post highlights that as people continue to seek ways to stay healthy as they age, squats might just be the key to building strength and improving longevity.
