Fitness and aging
Just as another cold and icy day this week left me with no inspiration to head for the gym, inspiration arrived. The AARP magazine -- yes, the one from the organization for people age 50 and up -- has a piece about the benefits of exercising as we age.
The article includes a fair share of aging medalists who train and still compete. But beyond that, it points to studies of adults who exercise -- and that can be running, playing tennis, swimming, anything that's physical activity. Those show that some of what we've come to think of as inevitable debilitating effects of aging aren't all wrapped up in growing older.
Studies that compared sedentary adults to those who exercised showed that being a couch potato apparently is a huge risk factor for declines in strength, endurance, aerobic capacity and muscle mass in people approaching middle age and beyond.
The people who were fit -- not surprisingly, their aerobic capacity had declined by half as much as in the sedentary middle agers.
For me, that's inspiration to watch tv while I'm on the elliptical instead of on the couch.
To read the article, click here








Comments
Age 55 and a true believer.
Posted by: jijiN | February 25, 2011 7:17 AM
I tried for years to get sufficient exercise while watching TV by reaching over and over for the crab chips. That didn't work very well, so now there's a rowing machine in front of the set.
Posted by: Brookdalepark | February 25, 2011 10:29 AM
I have a regular schedule at my gym. For myself, I find I do much more if I am exercising in a group with others, and there is extra motivation to go if I know I have a coffee date with a friend after class.
Posted by: Dahlink | February 26, 2011 7:21 AM
60+ here. I have friends who go to the gym but daily walking affords me that dose of activity and outdoors that works.
Posted by: ruth | February 26, 2011 8:48 AM
So how much laundry's hanging on that rowing machine?
Posted by: EllenD | February 27, 2011 11:16 AM
I am 38 years old.. and I feel better now than when I was in my teens. And it all has to do with my exercise routine and clean eating diet!
Posted by: Jennifer | March 1, 2011 11:53 AM