New England Centenarian Study

[Guest guest]

Hi folks:

The New England Centenarian Study is studying lots of people who are

over 100 years of age. I may have mentioned this before, but what I

have not mentioned before is the web address of their quarterly

newsletter, which I have finally located.

The study website is:

http://www.bumc.bu.edu/centenarian

The newsletter address is:

http://www.bumc.bu.edu/Departments/PageMain.asp?

page=5929 & DepartmentID=361

Since I have only just located the address I have not read their

newsletter. But I would think it would be worth it.

Rodney.

[Guest guest]

I'm not sure what your point is. I don't think any here have offered

exercise as an independent factor for longevity.

I suspect exercise as a separate activity might be a foreign concept to

individuals born 100 years ago. At the same time strenuous physical work may

have been taken for granted, unless born into privilege.

This is far from definitive, other than that we should select our parents

carefully.

JR

PS: I exercise for QOL and hope that it doesn't burn the candle down too

fast.

-----Original Message-----

From: Rodney [mailto:perspect1111@...]

Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2004 3:17 PM

Subject: [ ] New England Centenarian Study

Hi folks:

(Sorry, I just can't resist chortling here about this!)

Quite some time ago I emailed the above organization and asked them

the following:

" I would be very interested to see information relating to the

lifetime exercise habits of the centenarians in your study. In other

words, did they tend to be, during their lives, either more or less

active than the overall population average? And if more active, is

there any pattern to the type of exercise preferred?

In the section of the website that lists eight characteristics of

centenarians, exercise is not on the list. If such information has

been collected could you please let me know where I should look to

find it?

Thank you. "

The following is their reply to me:

" I apologize for taking so long to get back to you.

The reason why exercise is not on the list about which you ask is

because it has shown to not be a factor in longevity as the other 8

items have shown to be.

We certainly inquire about exercise habits with our participants. The

answers we have gotten are all over the boards, from strenuous

exercise to no exercise, from type A to type Z. Given all these

variations among centenarians, this tells us that exercise is not a

factor that determines longevity, as strange as that may seem.

Thank you for contacting us and for your interest in our research.

Sincerely ......... "

ROFLOL!!!

Rodney.

[Guest guest]

At least I don't ROF (anymore) when I LOL.

----- Original Message -----

From: Rodney

Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2004 3:17 PM

Subject: [ ] New England Centenarian Study

Hi folks:(Sorry, I just can't resist chortling here about this!)Quite some time ago I emailed the above organization and asked them the following:"I would be very interested to see information relating to the lifetime exercise habits of the centenarians in your study. In other words, did they tend to be, during their lives, either more or less active than the overall population average? And if more active, is there any pattern to the type of exercise preferred? In the section of the website that lists eight characteristics of centenarians, exercise is not on the list. If such information has been collected could you please let me know where I should look to find it? Thank you." The following is their reply to me:"I apologize for taking so long to get back to you.The reason why exercise is not on the list about which you ask is because it has shown to not be a factor in longevity as the other 8 items have shown to be. We certainly inquire about exercise habits with our participants. The answers we have gotten are all over the boards, from strenuous exercise to no exercise, from type A to type Z. Given all these variations among centenarians, this tells us that exercise is not a factor that determines longevity, as strange as that may seem. Thank you for contacting us and for your interest in our research. Sincerely ........."ROFLOL!!!Rodney.

[Guest guest]

When interviewing someone over 100 yo they may not remember a lot about their exercise say between 20 to 40. some olders tend to remember early years a lot better than older years. Retirement time flies by without a lot of remembrances. Now if we know as in the case of Okies, they raised their own food until 86yo - different story.

Regards.

----- Original Message -----

From: Dennis De Jarnette

Sent: Wednesday, October 27, 2004 3:29 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] New England Centenarian Study

Rodney wrote:>>We certainly inquire about exercise habits with our participants. The >answers we have gotten are all over the boards, from strenuous >exercise to no exercise, from type A to type Z. Given all these >variations among centenarians, this tells us that exercise is not a >factor that determines longevity, as strange as that may seem. >>Thank you for contacting us and for your interest in our research. >>Sincerely .........">>ROFLOL!!!>>Rodney.> >Actually this makes a certain amount of sense. But it seems to me that they are confusing two different things. Centenarians are a unique group, indeed they, as a group, may have no differences with regard to exercise. But the question is, those who do not have the lucky genes that have led to 100 + years, it does make a difference. To say:this tells us that exercise is not a factor that determines longevityis indeed ROFLhowever did they actually mean:this tells us that exercise is not a factor that determines longevity among centenarians.Positive Dennis