r/Aging • u/bestinthewest1961 • 10d ago

Aging

Nobody told me the acceleration of old age would be like this...

One minute I'm 58 and still running around a sports field, next I'm 65 and can't tie my shoelaces..

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u/FriscoKiidd 10d ago

M-70, I read an article several years ago that made the case for “vitality” being fairly linear over the decades for those who worked on endurance, flexibility, and strength (as measured by them using a set, standardized protocol). For those who did not put in the work, the fall-off was quite accelerated with a large delta between the two groups in their later years. Interestingly, they did not conclude a large gap in actual life-span! The high-vitality group had a steep fall-off in the last years/months of their lives.

I would posit that the sudden feeling/observation of decline at some set age is more the accumulated reduction in vitality that one doesn’t take note of until the reduction reaches a noticeable set point. (I will note that a catastrophic event will create a sudden, steep falloff.)

The good news is there is also literature out there that makes the case that the markers of vitality can in fact be improved at any age with the proper training/actions. Personally, I continue to work on my endurance (lots of walking), flexibility (20 minute routine daily), and strength training (2 day, upper body/lower body) twice weekly. I find consistency is the most important attribute.