In a few words: Turtle Breathing Technique PK, use it if you can, which one is the secret to longevity?

Niu Niu: A fellow researcher left a message asking: I often see some information saying that there is an upper limit to the number of times a human cell can divide, and once the cell division stops, it means that the person is dead. Then exercise will obviously speed up metabolism and accelerate the division of human cells. For example, there is an upper limit to the number of times a person's heart beats, so if the heart beats faster during exercise, does it mean that exercise accelerates the death of the human body? I also know that people who exercise regularly have very strong physical fitness, so is it possible that the essence of regular exercise is actually consuming the potential of the human body? Just like a loan, advance payment of future physical fitness in advance to enjoy today's life?

Binghai: This question is quite complicated. Please note that he is talking about the relationship between heartbeat and accelerated death (shortening life span).

Niu Niu: Yes, that is to say, will there be such a situation: some people gain good physical fitness through physical exercise, but also pay the price of shortening their lifespan. If they use the "turtle breathing method", although their physical fitness is not good, their lifespan is longer?

Binghai: This assumption sounds very philosophical, and seems to have the flavor of "equivalent exchange". Isn't Dohko in "Saint Seiya" like that?

Niu Niu: So will it happen? To sum it up, it can be summed up in one question: "Will speeding up the heartbeat hasten death?"

Binghai: There is a little scientific thinking here. No matter how self-consistent and vivid the reasoning is, it must be proven by evidence in the end. Otherwise, it is just an imagination, or a hypothesis.

Niu Niu: So is there any relevant evidence?

Binghai: Don't worry, I checked it out. Existing studies have shown that mortality is negatively correlated with cardiorespiratory exercise. (Source: https://esc365.escardio.org/Congress/EuroPrevent-2019/Rapid-Fire-Session-2/190462-sex-and-age-specific-associations-between-cardiorespiratory-fitness-cvd-morbidity-and-all-cause-mortality-in-316-137-swedish-adults) In layman's terms, for most people, doing more exercises that can speed up the heartbeat and deliberately increasing cardiorespiratory exercise every day will most likely reduce mortality. And this applies to people of all ages and genders.

Niu Niu: So what does this “negative correlation” mean?

Binghai: It is statistically found that the more cardiopulmonary exercise one does, the lower the mortality rate.

Niu Niu: I am not trying to argue, but since the paper studies "correlation", why do you say it is useful? For example, those who have the conditions to exercise their cardiopulmonary function, or even those who have time to go to the gym, are originally from a relatively wealthy class, or their diet is originally different from that of ordinary people. Is it possible that the common cause of "wealth" and "dietary differences" leads to the common result of "being able to exercise" and "longevity"?

Binghai: This is not an argument, it is a good idea. It is even possible that some people have genes that make them more likely to exercise, and these genes also have the characteristics of slightly longer life. So it is possible that people who insist on exercising live longer, but those who do not have similar genes will not be able to achieve longevity even if they exercise.

Niu Niu: Yes, there are many possibilities. Can you rule them all out?

Binghai: No. The statistics of correlation are just a fact. And "moderate cardiopulmonary exercise is good for longevity" is indeed my opinion based on this fact.

Niu Niu: What if your point of view is wrong? You haven't ruled out other possibilities.

Binghai: If I’m wrong, I’m wrong. If other possibilities can be proven through experiments, I will revise my point of view.

Niu Niu: Then how can you spread a wrong idea?

Binghai: For issues with multiple causes and effects such as life and health, we can only draw limited conclusions based on limited facts. Many of these conclusions may be revised in the future due to the emergence of new evidence.

Niu Niu: If it’s so unreliable, how can we believe it?

Binghai: On the contrary, the viewpoint based on more comprehensive facts is the most reliable. The other possibilities you just assumed, if they are not based on facts, are just imagination or assumptions. They are the more unreliable ways of understanding.

Niu Niu: Okay, let’s talk about something more practical. If the above evidence is correct and your point of view is correct, then what should we do?

Binghai: We can get off the bus one stop later every day and walk to the company or school, or we can ride a bike, or take the elevator and climb the remaining floors. In short, if we don’t have time to exercise, we can also use a more Buddhist way to get ourselves moving. As long as we move, it is better than not moving all day.

Niu Niu: It's so tiring for workers to get up early, I'd rather sleep a little longer and do it at night. By the way, why do you get off one stop later instead of one stop earlier?

Binghai: Because I can see clearly which breakfast spots are available and decide what to buy for breakfast later. I can also see the road conditions clearly so I have a rough idea. Anyway, compared to getting off a stop earlier, there is no loss.