Study #1-Muscle Mass and Strength Gains Following Resistance Exercise Training in Older Adults 65-75 Years and Older Adults Above 85 Years This was a recent study between a group of 65-75 individuals, and a group of 85+year olds. To my knowledge, this is the first study Ive seen comparing "old" to "very old" people.
I like to listen to Dr. Peter Attia's podcast which focuses alot on exercise as you get older. The best part of this podcast is that he has top notch experts on. In the past few months, I have heard something that I did not know...the main reason older adults fall is because of loss of leg strength. One dr who is a orthopedic hip specialist said its the weakening of the hip flexors...which makes sense in that hip flexors lift your leg. The other guy, a kinesiologist, said fast twitch muscle fibers are much more susceptible to age and the result is that when you are older and you trip or lose your balance, you cannot move your leg/foot fast enough to catch yourself like you used to be able to do. Both of the explanations I think make sense. I always thought it was a balance issue. But now I am buying into the leg strength idea. So in your workouts, dont forget legs as an older person.
I like to listen to Dr. Peter Attia's podcast which focuses alot on exercise as you get older. The best part of this podcast is that he has top notch experts on. In the past few months, I have heard something that I did not know...the main reason older adults fall is because of loss of leg strength. One dr who is a orthopedic hip specialist said its the weakening of the hip flexors...which makes sense in that hip flexors lift your leg. The other guy, a kinesiologist, said fast twitch muscle fibers are much more susceptible to age and the result is that when you are older and you trip or lose your balance, you cannot move your leg/foot fast enough to catch yourself like you used to be able to do. Both of the explanations I think make sense. I always thought it was a balance issue. But now I am buying into the leg strength idea. So in your workouts, dont forget legs as an older person.