Years ago, I saw a photograph of a famous bodybuilder. I think his first name was Oscar, but Google gets me nowhere.
He had grey hair, but still could have crushed me like a can of Milwaukee’s Best. If I remember the caption correctly, he was 68 years old.
My searching has shown me that it is popularly believed that bodybuilders can retain their physique, and even compete, well into their 60s and 70s. Here’s an example. Judging by that article, bodybuilders also seem to be living pretty decent, long lives.
My question is this: have there been any studies which show that bodybuilders live longer, or enjoy more productive time in their declining years? And have those studies concluded that this is a result of bodybuilding, or more a benefit of being extreme mesomorphs?
I have seen several studies that showed even light to moderate weightlifting has had incredibly beneficial effects on the elderly, both in their physical health and mental attitude.
One of the effects of aging is called sarcopenia. This is the loss of muscle mass which happens as you get older. You can’t completely avoid it, but heavy exercise, especially weightlifting, will minimize it.
At ALMOST 80 years old? I admit, that is better than a 50 year old that dies, but there are people who live a life of eating red meat, fatty foods, and don’t do much excercise that live well past 80. Of course chance plays a big role, but living until almost 80 isn’t a great example of a really long life.
A person can be in perfect shape and still have heart problems. Ever heard of genetics? Besides, 79 years old in 1972 was well above the life expectance for men.
Atlas had more muscle on him at 79 that most men do at 20.
There is not a simple answer to your question.
Body buiders are like everyone else. Some do it for fun, some for health and some for competition.
If a competition BB eats too much cholesterol (eggs) in an attempt to eat enough protien, he could have associated heart problems. Ditto for too much steriod use with other added health problems.
Arnold fairly recently had some surgury to his heart for this very reason, I believe.
You can be in exellent shape and die of a heart attack due to, say, clogged arteries. This depends on your definition of ‘exellent shape’ - another topic.
Also some pro BBs quit working out after their competition days.
According to studies quoted by Dr. Bob Arnot (NBC’s chief medical correspondant) in his book, Turning Back the Clock, muscle tone and mass is important for long healthy lives.
I think the answer you are looking for is, yes, BB will help you live a longer, healthier life provided you keep it up, don’t take steriods and eat right gererally speaking.
It should be noted that BBs Mike and Ray Mentzer both just died. They were Arnold’s contemporaries.
Conversly, Charles Atlas might have died at age 55 if were not for his body building.
Hey warmgun- I had heard that the Mentzer bros died recently, but I never caught the cause of death. Do you know why they died?
As far as them being Arnolds contempararies, I believe that that they competed a few years after Arnolds retirement from bodybuilding in 1975. Although Arnold did come out of retirement in 81 I believe, to win the Mr. Olympia. Mentzer should have won that contest, and he raised hell about it.
