Fitness declines rapidly in old age....

[Guest guest]

" drsusanforshey " <drsusanforshey@...>

Date: Tue Aug 2, 2005 4:46 pm

Subject: Re: " Fitness Declines Rapidly in Old Age Regardless of

Exercise "

Let's take this to heart shall we (pun intended:)

" Post hoc analyses of the longitudinal data in the athletes based on

the training regimens over the follow-up period demonstrated that the

seven individuals who continued to train vigorously ( " high training " )

had no significant decline in VO2max "

A comparison of longitudinal changes in aerobic fitness in older

endurance athletes and sedentary men.

Katzel LI, Sorkin JD, Fleg JL.

Department of Medicine, Division of Gerontology, University of

land School of Medicine, Geriatrics Research Education and

Clinical Center, Baltimore, land, USA.

-------------------

There is a wonderful little book titled " Growing Old is Not For

Sissies; " Portraits of Senior Athletes, by Etta .

It gives portraits of individuals like the seven mentioned above.

Here's some examples from the book:

Ivor Welch, age 88: He had no major participation in athletics until

he started running after his 83rd birthday. He started with

walks...running a few steps... and gradually increased the running.

By age 88 he had completed five marathons. At age 90, he completed

two half marathons.

Profiles a 92-year old woman swimming in a Nationals competition;

also a 93-year old competing in National Swimming Masters

competitions.

Also has some inspirational poetry.

Reading the stories of these elder athletes and seeing their photos I

found inspiring.

rjb112