Active Aging

1 R Special Advertising Section | Sunday, October 24, 2021 3 he’s gained muscle. A man who came late to fatherhood and loved it, Pallett listened when his son encouraged him to exercise. “I told him I could beat him,” Pallett said. “I know I’ll never beat him. I’m too old, and he’s too young. He wanted me to get healthy because he didn’t want me to die.” Physical activity is one of the most important things people can do to increase the number of healthy years in their lifespan, and experts say it’s better to start young. “I’m a huge fan of exer- cise because, without ques- tion, it’s the most effective means that we have today to counter the fundamental biology of aging,” said Na- than LeBrasseur, a physiol- ogist and physical therapist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, who studies muscle growth and metabolism. Aging, he said, is the “accumulation of molecu- lar and cellular damage.” It drives dysfunction and disease. Exercise can slow it down. Obesity, which often accompanies low activity, accelerates it. We lose about 30% of our muscle mass and 50% of strength in later life. Exercisers sustain higher levels of mass longer, so they start their decline from a higher point than sedentary peers. Although you can still add muscle in your 80s and 90s, it becomes much harder, researchers said. “You want to walk into your 80s with as much muscle mass as possible,” said Kevin Murach, an exercise physiologist and muscle biologist at the University of Arkansas. His ACTIVE AGING Continued from previous page recent research — in mice — suggests that people who exercise in early life but take a long break might build muscle more quickly if they start again than nev- er-exercisers. LeBrasseur said that, for most people, the ability to grow bigger or stronger muscles begins declining in their 40s. Increasing numbers of older Americans have ex- ercised for decades thanks to fitness trends when they were younger, research- ers said. That has given physiologists a group of high achievers to com- pare with lifelong couch potatoes. The exercisers are clearly stronger and healthier. Scott Trappe, director of the Human Performance Laboratory at Ball State University, said that longtime exercisers have a bigger physiologi- cal reserve that helps them bounce back from illness or injuries in their retire- ment years. “Their tank is bigger,” he said. Lifelong exercisers in their 70s have cardiovascu- lar capacities that are physi- ologically similar to those of recreationally active people 30 years younger. And, he said, the muscles of the lifelong exercisers have enzymes involved with aerobic metabolism that are the same as exercis- ers in their 20s. There’s also evidence that people who change their habits in later life reap significant benefits, but much less data on the upper limits of achieve- ment for, say, someone who retires at 65 and decides to devote hours of newly available time to aerobic and weight-bearing exercise. JOSE F. MORENO / THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER (TNS) During a workout session at this gym, Pallett climbs steps wearing a 15-pound vest. At Fairwinds – Brighton Court, the day is always yours. With a variety of classes, activities, and social events, you can play as much or as little as you’d like. Our friendly staff plays friend-maker too, making sure all new residents find the social scene that works best for them. You’ll feel the difference at FairwindsBrightonCourt.com Your new lifelong friends are waiting. 6520 - 196th St SW | Lynnwood, WA (425) 247-3713 | FairwindsBrightonCourt.com It’s More Than Retirement. It’s Five-Star Fun.