Don’t Go Quietly!
Everyone knows you slow down and get weaker with age, right? In fact the data shows that 37 percent of senior citizens have disabilities.
Well, how much of that is simply due to the unavoidable effects of aging, and how much of that decline is due to sitting around on our butts?
To answer that question, some smart scientists at the University of Pittsburgh conducted a study of masters athletes and discovered that there was a huge, enormous even, difference between older people who had been training diligently as they aged and those that did not.
To whit:
Many of the diseases and infirmities exclusively attributed to aging are more accurately related to the effects of sedentary living. Sedentary seniors decline twice as fast as their active counterparts, and their highest level of conditioning affects their overall level of decline.
Take a look at the picture from their research (click on the picture to enlarge it). Do you find that motivating? I sure do.
Read the article and you’ll feel better about continuing to train–even if you aren’t as fast as you were in your glory days.
Although really, aren’t all days you can get out for a run a your “glory days?”
This can also be said for people with Parkinson’s. My husband, David Keane, was a great runner until he was slowed by PD. Exercising also helps keep him active, fit, and moving. His message to everyone is, “Keep moving!”
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