Ageing does not have to bring poor health and frailty, scientists have claimed, after discovering that the most active people in their 70s are as fit as those in their 50s.
A study of older cyclists found that there was little physical difference between people aged 79 and those aged 55 if they maintained similar levels of exercise.
The team picked super-fit amateur cyclists between 55 and 79 and tested a wide range of physical functions commonly associated with ageing such as aerobic fitness, resting heart rate, skeletal mass, breathing ability and muscle density.
A few friends raised the following worry: Cycling after 60 may have a selection effect. That is, it might be the case that the folks who get “old and doddery” quit riding. Maybe it’s a special group of seniors who keep on pushing the pace into old age.
And there is that. But at least this shows that decline isn’t necessary. That for some people at least, staying active wards off some of the health issues associated with aging.
The 84 male and 41 female cyclists picked for the study had to be able to cycle 100km in under 6.5 hours and 60km in 5.5 hours, respectively, to be included in the study.
Of course there was also the “glass is half empty” friend, 55 years old, who said, “So basically, you’re telling me I’m already 79.” Got to love academics
Age resistance is a futile kind of life resistance: We can’t live outside time, we begin to age the moment we’re born. But the emerging age-acceptance movement neither decries nor denies the aging process. It recognizes that one can remain vital and present, engaged and curious, indeed continue to grow, until one’s dying breath. Then we need only echo the wish of the British psychoanalyst D. W. Winnicott: “May I be alive when I die.”
Philosopher, feminist, parent, and cyclist! Co-founder of Fit Is a Feminist Issue, co-author of Fit at Mid-Life: A Feminist Fitness Journey, published by Greystone Books.
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One thought on “Silver hair speedsters and good news on growing older”
I remember doing an MS 150 bike ride in 2007 where I decided to ride along with an 86 year old fellow on my team that had a radio duct taped to his bike playing jazz. He asked me why I didn’t just speed past him…I told him “I like jazz”….he was awesome 🙂
I remember doing an MS 150 bike ride in 2007 where I decided to ride along with an 86 year old fellow on my team that had a radio duct taped to his bike playing jazz. He asked me why I didn’t just speed past him…I told him “I like jazz”….he was awesome 🙂