All articles tagged with #physical fitness
Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle, can be slowed or even reversed with four practical steps: progressive resistance training, sufficient protein intake, proper recovery, and consistently challenging muscles with increasing load; research shows older adults can gain muscle mass when training is load-driven and sustained, helping preserve strength and independence.
Art Ulene, an 89-year-old retired gynecologist and former NBC medical correspondent, is training to summit Mount Kilimanjaro on his 90th birthday, planning a 13-day high-altitude trek with a guide and porters to become the oldest person ever to reach the summit and to demonstrate that health and possibility—not age—define aging.
Vibration training on plates is marketed to burn fat and build muscle, but the evidence is mixed and gains are often smaller than traditional exercise. It may help older adults with mobility issues and postmenopausal women by supporting bone density, yet there are potential risks and it isn’t recommended for everyone with certain health conditions.
Prolonged sitting is a leading risk factor for lower back pain. Experts say there’s no perfect posture, so vary how you sit, take frequent movement breaks, and consider options like standing desks and more activity to ease symptoms; evidence links reduced sitting time with improved back pain.
A comprehensive study finds that people who were most fit in their 40s and 50s developed major illnesses later, and lived longer—adding about two healthy years to their lifespan.
A Washington Post Well+Being piece emphasizes that protein is essential for preserving muscle as we age and that many adults may not meet recommended intake. It notes that protein is widely available in foods and drinks, yet you can still be under-consuming, and highlights four subtle signs of insufficient protein intake (with fatigue during workouts as one example). The article references guidelines suggesting 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily to help protect muscle and support longevity.
Experts say bone strength matters as you age and can be supported with regular strength training to boost density, a Mediterranean-style diet rich in protein, calcium, and vitamin D, and avoiding smoking and heavy alcohol use. While some supplements show promise, long-term benefits aren’t proven, so focus on consistent exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle choices to prevent osteoporosis and fractures.
A Washington Post Optimist article highlights a study finding nearly half of adults over 65 showed improvements in cognitive or physical function as they aged, with positive beliefs about aging and social connectedness associated with better outcomes, challenging stereotypes of inevitable decline and emphasizing growth in later life.
Regular exercise provides broad health benefits but is only modest for weight loss; a 2024 trial showed fitness gains with little weight change when diet stayed the same. Aging slows metabolism, making substantial calorie deficits from exercise alone harder, while exercise can improve insulin sensitivity and reduce visceral fat even without weight loss. The author argues that long-term health should prioritize movement and muscle over chasing a thinner appearance, though weight-loss drugs can help some; ultimately exercise should be used as a longevity tool, not a sole weight-loss strategy.
Scientists are studying 82-year-old ultramarathoner Juan López García to understand how people can stay healthy as they age; García remains remarkably fit, running roughly 40 miles a week as he prepares for races, offering clues about the biology of aging, endurance, and lifestyle factors that support longevity.
A Lancet study using wearable trackers from over 135,000 adults in Europe and the U.S. suggests that adding a five-minute brisk walk to daily activity may help people live longer, potentially preventing about 1 in 10 premature deaths by boosting moderate-intensity exercise.
A Washington Post Well+Being article reports a study finding that lifting light or heavy weights—whether many or few repetitions—produces similar gains in muscle and strength, suggesting workouts can be effective without being grueling.
A 47-year Swedish study reveals that physical decline begins around age 35, but regular exercise can still significantly improve fitness levels even later in life, emphasizing the importance of staying active at any age.
The article highlights ten key abilities that, if maintained past 65 without assistance, indicate exceptional physical, mental, and emotional health, emphasizing that aging well involves staying active, engaged, and self-reliant. It encourages younger individuals to adopt habits that support healthy aging and celebrates those who thrive in later years.
Pete Hegseth announced a crackdown on diversity initiatives in the US military, emphasizing high, gender-neutral physical standards, professional appearance, and a focus on combat readiness, while criticizing what he calls 'woke' policies and promoting a return to traditional warrior ethos.