Age related decline

[Gabe_G]

I think one of the most tragic things today is the belief that after you turn 40, there is a huge steep decline, like a drop off.

Actually, most of us here, don't think that.

I was referencing the general untrained population and their self-limiting beliefs.

[Cyclingman1]

Last "competition" 2K of year for me at Ga Tech Erg Sprints, but held at Venture Crossfit in Atlanta.

Not a good row at all. 2K: 7:16.6 @1:49.1.

Found this pic from the competition. Me in the blue/yellow shirt. Looking a little ratty. Better half is behind me yelling things like "get going fat boy." Armando Cabrera to my rowing left. His coach may be his son who contributes some on forum. An excellent rower. Can't blame anything on overheating. It was very cold in there. Notice everyone bundled up.

https://www.row2k.com/gallery/pf_gal.cf ... &year=2020

[uk gearmuncher]

At 50 there is some decline. At sixty, things start getting a little more dicey, but many fight a good losing battle.

The only 'cliff edge' I've seen anecdotally (and to a certain extent in some studies) is around 70. At the end of the day though, genetics loads the gun but lifestyle pulls the trigger.

[hjs]

At 50 there is some decline. At sixty, things start getting a little more dicey, but many fight a good losing battle.

The only 'cliff edge' I've seen anecdotally (and to a certain extent in some studies) is around 70. At the end of the day though, genetics loads the gun but lifestyle pulls the trigger.

It depends very much on the kind of exercise. Jumping for example begins to get less pretty early. There are no 50 years old who can jump ok still. And the average 50 year old can hardly come from the ground. At 70, nobody can jump anymore.
Same for complex throwing. The joints can,t handle that. Older people can,t throw.

[Cyclingman1]

Wrote this earlier:

There are several factors that play a large role in decline and those are illness, injury, and training, how much and what kind. For most, the decline will begin to increase in one's 50s. When the 60s hit, decline is accelerated somewhat. After 70, it's all down a steep hill.

Bumps in the road are harder and harder to overcome when one passes into one's sixties. It is hard to not be permanently set back.

I agree completely with the prohibition on jumping after 50,60,70 - at least for most of us. Of course, there are exceptions to everything. Rowing is a pretty benign activity for older people. No complex or sudden motions, no weight bearing, fitness oriented. Add cycling to the list, although there are considerable more chances for accidents.

[uk gearmuncher]

At 50 there is some decline. At sixty, things start getting a little more dicey, but many fight a good losing battle.

The only 'cliff edge' I've seen anecdotally (and to a certain extent in some studies) is around 70. At the end of the day though, genetics loads the gun but lifestyle pulls the trigger.

It depends very much on the kind of exercise. Jumping for example begins to get less pretty early. There are no 50 years old who can jump ok still. And the average 50 year old can hardly come from the ground. At 70, nobody can jump anymore.
Same for complex throwing. The joints can,t handle that. Older people can,t throw.

I agree with you. In my comment, I was referring to aerobic capacity. For more strength-based activity as you describe, well, to be honest, if you're past 40, you're already at the point of use it or lose it, let alone at 70.

(note: my ball throwing skills sucked at all ages - I doubt I'll be able to pass the salt by the time I'm 70)

[hjs]

The only 'cliff edge' I've seen anecdotally (and to a certain extent in some studies) is around 70. At the end of the day though, genetics loads the gun but lifestyle pulls the trigger.

It depends very much on the kind of exercise. Jumping for example begins to get less pretty early. There are no 50 years old who can jump ok still. And the average 50 year old can hardly come from the ground. At 70, nobody can jump anymore.
Same for complex throwing. The joints can,t handle that. Older people can,t throw.

I agree with you. In my comment, I was referring to aerobic capacity. For more strength-based activity as you describe, well, to be honest, if you're past 40, you're already at the point of use it or lose it, let alone at 70.

(note: my ball throwing skills sucked at all ages - I doubt I'll be able to pass the salt by the time I'm 70)

Strenght is also not direct a problem, its more the fine coordination and flexibility etc.

[jackarabit]

No one should confute longevity with cellular viability. Living long demands nothing more than winning the genetic lottery, accepting reduced mental and physical capability, avoiding catastrophic accident and violent assault, and receiving the attention of the patchers, caulkers, and renovators of the medical profession. Living well is finite. Get on with it.

[uk gearmuncher]

No one should confute longevity with cellular viability. Living long demands nothing more than winning the genetic lottery, accepting reduced mental and physical capability, avoiding catastrophic accident and violent assault, and receiving the attention of the patchers, caulkers, and renovators of the medical profession. Living well is finite. Get on with it.

Brilliant post.

[uk gearmuncher]

It depends very much on the kind of exercise. Jumping for example begins to get less pretty early. There are no 50 years old who can jump ok still. And the average 50 year old can hardly come from the ground. At 70, nobody can jump anymore.
Same for complex throwing. The joints can,t handle that. Older people can,t throw.

I agree with you. In my comment, I was referring to aerobic capacity. For more strength-based activity as you describe, well, to be honest, if you're past 40, you're already at the point of use it or lose it, let alone at 70.

(note: my ball throwing skills sucked at all ages - I doubt I'll be able to pass the salt by the time I'm 70)

Strenght is also not direct a problem, its more the fine coordination and flexibility etc.

Muscle shortening, muscle force production, etc. Pick your poison. It's a race against the undertaker at the end of the day. However, making hay and preparations now, staves off the inevitable disappointment.

[hjs]

I agree with you. In my comment, I was referring to aerobic capacity. For more strength-based activity as you describe, well, to be honest, if you're past 40, you're already at the point of use it or lose it, let alone at 70.

(note: my ball throwing skills sucked at all ages - I doubt I'll be able to pass the salt by the time I'm 70)

Strenght is also not direct a problem, its more the fine coordination and flexibility etc.

Muscle shortening, muscle force production, etc. Pick your poison. It's a race against the undertaker at the end of the day. However, making hay and preparations now, staves off the inevitable disappointment.

Yes, but its also about being realistic. How often do hear people say, Its about how you feel blabla. The times I see someone 50 or above, that do impress me are rare. Training, staying healthy offcourse can be done, but don,t kid yourself.

[Anth_F]

No one should confute longevity with cellular viability. Living long demands nothing more than winning the genetic lottery, accepting reduced mental and physical capability, avoiding catastrophic accident and violent assault, and receiving the attention of the patchers, caulkers, and renovators of the medical profession. Living well is finite. Get on with it.

Brilliant post.

Definitely.

[uk gearmuncher]

Strenght is also not direct a problem, its more the fine coordination and flexibility etc.

Muscle shortening, muscle force production, etc. Pick your poison. It's a race against the undertaker at the end of the day. However, making hay and preparations now, staves off the inevitable disappointment.

Yes, but its also about being realistic. How often do hear people say, Its about how you feel blabla. The times I see someone 50 or above, that do impress me are rare. Training, staying healthy offcourse can be done, but don,t kid yourself.

I know a lot of still talented over 50 athletes kicking arse of those 20 years younger but you're not wrong. For me, this is where age group-based competition is a must to allow someone to concede to their state of decline but still keeping your motivation to race high.

As an aside, I don't thinks its a coincidence that you see an increasing uptake in participation by people at 40 as their kids leave home but a rapid tailing off in number at 50. The problem is when you see inspiring individuals like Ned Overend in MTB'ing or Larry Cain in stand up paddleboard racing - both at 55+, a wiser eye knows they were fine genetic specimens to begin with and that you're cherry picking the odd case in a sea of broken and forgotten sports people. I'm 45 and I know I really want to still be racing at 65 but just don't know how natures chips will fall for me. I've taken the approach to get as many sporting boxes ticked now as I can and do what I can to make it last as long as I can. Everything else is rolling the dice.

[hjs]

Muscle shortening, muscle force production, etc. Pick your poison. It's a race against the undertaker at the end of the day. However, making hay and preparations now, staves off the inevitable disappointment.

Yes, but its also about being realistic. How often do hear people say, Its about how you feel blabla. The times I see someone 50 or above, that do impress me are rare. Training, staying healthy offcourse can be done, but don,t kid yourself.

I know a lot of still talented over 50 athletes kicking arse of those 20 years younger but you're not wrong. For me, this is where age group-based competition is a must to allow someone to concede to their state of decline but still keeping your motivation to race high.

As an aside, I don't thinks its a coincidence that you see an increasing uptake in participation by people at 40 as their kids leave home but a rapid tailing off in number at 50. The problem is when you see inspiring individuals like Ned Overend in MTB'ing or Larry Cain in stand up paddleboard racing - both at 55+, a wiser eye knows they were fine genetic specimens to begin with and that you're cherry picking the odd case in a sea of broken and forgotten sports people. I'm 45 and I know I really want to still be racing at 65 but just don't know how natures chips will fall for me. I've taken the approach to get as many sporting boxes ticked now as I can and do what I can to make it last as long as I can. Everything else is rolling the dice.

Lots of 20 somethings hardly can stand on their feet So thats not what I think we should look at.
Ofcourse there are impressive older athletes, and like you say, they do have good genetics, but beyond a certain age you are not gonna win the olympics anymore.

[uk gearmuncher]

Ofcourse there are impressive older athletes, and like you say, they do have good genetics, but beyond a certain age you are not gonna win the olympics anymore.

Nobody is saying they will.
This said, the trend of decline that is often reported isn't as bad as people think (or as reflective as it is shown in the studies) as athletes are training differently and with more structure. Historical data is often based on datasets that were taken from the 1960's, 70's or 80's and hell of a lot has changed since then. Provided you're staying away from sports that require explosive power (sprinting) or are high impact (i.e. running), I don't think people have as much to worry about until they're at least 55 provided they try and aim for training consistency and mitigate for the obvious markers of decline (VO2 max and muscle mass being two main ones). A grip on reality, as you say, is important but it is all too easy to talk yourself into submission and I'd rather people focused on the former than just blindly accepting the latter voluntarily.