I remember back in my 20's reading I believe in Men's Health that after 20 for women and after 30 for men we are loosing muscle unless you are weight training. Sadly that meant that even if you are maintaining your weight you are getting fatter. That makes sense with the jump test numbers.
It's over 20 years since I came across that so I may have the source or numbers off a little.
“We are normalizing disuse and calling it aging.” That should be on motivational posters, gym walls, and doctor’s offices everywhere. Using that to get me to the gym on this -20 windchill day!
The core message ... physical capacity peaks earlier than many think and declines gradually with age, is grounded in peer-reviewed science.
The idea that how you age physically is modifiable (via activity, lifestyle, etc.) is also supported by robust research ... though the specifics are nuanced.
⚠️ What’s less certain are the exact numbers and the suggestion that peak timing is “biologically fixed” for everyone. Biology is flexible, and genetics, training, nutrition, and health all play roles. Aging is not one size fits all phenomenon.
Terrence Mahon, who coached Deena Kastor to her AR, Ryan Hall, and many others, once said something along the lines of, "As soon as you say you're old, the clock starts ticking." My interpretation of that is to keep pushing yourself (intelligently, of course) and see what's possible as you age.
Brady, thanks for this post. As a 64-year-old runner, I am a prime example of the findings from that study. Sometimes I shift it into high gear, and there's nothing! Oh well. I focus on my age cohort. Recently, I ran a half-marathon in Dallas. The goal was to finish in the top third of my age group. I finished in the top 30%! I was happy with the result, and it was my best time in 4 years. I'm just grateful I'm still out there trying to poke old Father Time in the eye. Love your Substack!
ill be 71 I still exercise regularly and I can vouch for those findings. im still stubborn enough to do too much but getting smarter. Keep up spreading wisdom.
"Maybe the real tragedy is that most people never get close to seeing what their 60- or 70-year-old body is capable of". 100% correct. Just look around. Most people don't even try to stay in shape by 60, much less pursue their potential at that age. I think that the best age-group athletes are the ones dumb enough to think they can still train like they could in their 30s and 40s :)
I remember back in my 20's reading I believe in Men's Health that after 20 for women and after 30 for men we are loosing muscle unless you are weight training. Sadly that meant that even if you are maintaining your weight you are getting fatter. That makes sense with the jump test numbers.
It's over 20 years since I came across that so I may have the source or numbers off a little.
“We are normalizing disuse and calling it aging.” That should be on motivational posters, gym walls, and doctor’s offices everywhere. Using that to get me to the gym on this -20 windchill day!
💪🏻
It's a great study. Thank you for the post.
The core message ... physical capacity peaks earlier than many think and declines gradually with age, is grounded in peer-reviewed science.
The idea that how you age physically is modifiable (via activity, lifestyle, etc.) is also supported by robust research ... though the specifics are nuanced.
⚠️ What’s less certain are the exact numbers and the suggestion that peak timing is “biologically fixed” for everyone. Biology is flexible, and genetics, training, nutrition, and health all play roles. Aging is not one size fits all phenomenon.
Terrence Mahon, who coached Deena Kastor to her AR, Ryan Hall, and many others, once said something along the lines of, "As soon as you say you're old, the clock starts ticking." My interpretation of that is to keep pushing yourself (intelligently, of course) and see what's possible as you age.
I think you’re the epitome of that! Fun to watch and it’s exciting to see research and anecdotes supporting what’s possible with aging.
(Not to say you’re old) 😉
I like to think I’m just maturing! Haha
The authors of Younger Next Year made this point. Much of what we have traditionally viewed as signs of old age are really just decay.
Separating aging from inactivity. Something we’re just beginning to learn!
Brady, thanks for this post. As a 64-year-old runner, I am a prime example of the findings from that study. Sometimes I shift it into high gear, and there's nothing! Oh well. I focus on my age cohort. Recently, I ran a half-marathon in Dallas. The goal was to finish in the top third of my age group. I finished in the top 30%! I was happy with the result, and it was my best time in 4 years. I'm just grateful I'm still out there trying to poke old Father Time in the eye. Love your Substack!
ill be 71 I still exercise regularly and I can vouch for those findings. im still stubborn enough to do too much but getting smarter. Keep up spreading wisdom.
Perhaps "doing too much" is the secret? ;)
Not if you want to avoid injury.
"Maybe the real tragedy is that most people never get close to seeing what their 60- or 70-year-old body is capable of". 100% correct. Just look around. Most people don't even try to stay in shape by 60, much less pursue their potential at that age. I think that the best age-group athletes are the ones dumb enough to think they can still train like they could in their 30s and 40s :)
please provide a link to the study
Hi Bobby—added to the post after publishing and noticing my mistake! See footnote. Also here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41243424/