What it means and why the physical activity profession has a big part to play
Annette Wade-Clarke, Chief Communications and Engagement Officer, CIMSPA
I came across the term longevity medicine for the first time a few weeks ago, just before CIMSPA Conference as I was preparing to interview Dr Nighat Arif, one of our guest speakers. During a briefing call we were discussing the topics we’d cover on stage, and Dr Arif used the term when we were talking about the impact of lifestyle on health.
I’d heard plenty about healthy ageing and preventative health, but this sounded different, more scientific, more forward-looking. So, I had to do a bit of digging…
My foray into finding out more about longevity medicine as a non-medic, non-science-y person has introduced me to a concept that isn’t new but which is getting significant traction as the next evolution of healthcare.
It’s not about treating illness but about staying well for longer in life. It’s rooted in science and data on genetics, biomarkers and metabolism, but ultimately, it’s about quality of life – not just how long you live, but how well you live while you’re doing it.
As a concept, it’s something we’re already really familiar with in the sport, physical activity and active wellbeing sector. It’s exactly what the sector is here to do, too: help people to stay mobile, strong and capable for as many years as possible.
So, what actually is longevity medicine?
It’s a way of understanding and managing health that looks ahead rather than reacting to problems once they arrive. Think of it like a continuous health MOT using deep testing and analysis to see what’s going on under the surface so that small changes can be made early.
It might involve a genetic test, a blood panel or even looking at how different cells in the body are ageing, which are all things that can show how your body is functioning before you feel anything’s wrong or have any visible symptoms. From there, a plan is built around a full range of lifestyle aspects including sleep, nutrition, stress and of course physical activity. It’s not about extremes, quick fixes or miracle treatments. Instead, it’s about personalising healthcare so that people can make the most of every decade of life.
Some of the technology sounds straight out of science fiction, but the principles are familiar. Move well. Eat well. Rest well. The difference is that longevity medicine can pinpoint why those things matter for you, personally.
Living better, not just longer
The phrase I kept coming across in my shallow delve into longevity medicine is “healthspan over lifespan.” Anyone can count years, but what really matters is how many of those years you spend feeling energised, independent and capable of doing what you want to do and love doing.
That’s the promise of longevity medicine and it’s why it’s starting to pop up in specialist clinics, in corporate wellbeing programmes and in sport, where elite teams are using similar science to help athletes extend their peak years.
It’s essentially all about giving the body the conditions it needs to function well and thrive, long term.
However, it’s not something that should be limited to clinics or private clients. It’s something that can (and should) filter into everyday life for everyone, and that’s where the physical activity profession becomes central.
The role of the physical activity profession
When you strip everything back, longevity medicine is about keeping the body in balance, metabolically, mentally and physically: the things that professionals in our sector do every day.
Physical activity professionals help people to maintain muscle mass, bone density, coordination and cardiovascular health, which are all the things that keep us independent and resilient as we age. As the conversation around longevity grows, it’s vital that the professionals leading this work are recognised for the expertise they bring.
Having professional status matters here. It shows that the people guiding individuals through activity, exercise and movement programmes are qualified, credible and accountable and are operating to nationally recognised standards. It’s what separates a trained, skilled practitioner from someone who simply likes fitness and did a course.
In a world where medical and scientific approaches are becoming more personalised and data-driven, we need physical activity experts who can sit confidently at that table. These are professionals who not only have technical knowledge, but who can interpret the data, understand human behaviour and design safe, effective programmes that actually stick.
The best of our profession already do this every day. They translate science into action that bridges the gap between knowledge and habit. They make health something people live and can take control of.
As longevity medicine develops and gathers momentum, that bridge becomes even more important. The medical community can identify risks and map out interventions, but it’s the physical activity professionals who bring that plan to life step by step, rep by rep.
Looking ahead
The more I learn about longevity medicine, the more I see it as a shared mission. Yes, it’s driven by medicine, data and research, but its impact depends on what happens in the real world. It depends on people moving, recovering, eating, sleeping and managing stress better.
That’s not just healthcare; it’s behaviour change and coaching, which is the craft of our sector.
If the future of health really is about prevention, then the physical activity profession isn’t a supporting act. It has to be centre stage. For those holding recognised professional status, with the credibility and standards that come with it, there’s an enormous opportunity to shape what longevity medicine looks like in practice.
When medicine and movement work together, we don’t just help people to live longer; we help them to live better. And really, isn’t that the point of it all?