How do you avoid disability as you age

[Hilarity_N.Suze]

In my early 50s, going to a physical therapist for a couple of shoulder issues, I asked her this very thing–which of her patients were in the best shape as they aged, and what they did. She didn’t even have to think about it. She said the older people in the best shape were the ones who did yoga or pilates and were not overweight.

[Wesley_Clark]

@Una_Persson

I don’t have peer-reviewed studies, or statistics, or facts (so you can stop reading at this point…), but there are seemingly an amazing number of fencers who are very active and very healthy into their 70’s and 80’s. The basic physical principles of flexibility, balance, practice of hand-eye-foot coordination, short and concentrated aerobic exercise, or whatever may be conducive to older folks, and as such may be conducive to older folks staying active in the sport. I’ll hazard that there are not too many soccer or football players in their 70’s or 80’s who actively compete each week and can hope to win. I fence with a man who’s nearing 70 and he can run circles around me.

That would be a good idea (getting into a sport). If I could find a sport that did many things for me (required and improved aerobic capacity, strength, flexibility) while also letting me socialize and compete, I think I would stick with it more than just using a stationary bike in the basement.

Martial arts, or fencing, or something like that would be something to look into.

[rivulus]

As it happens, I heard a segment on NPR this morning about preventing disability as you age. It caught my attention because Steve Inskeep was supposedly walking briskly on a treadmill in the bowels of the NPR studio building for this bit on Morning Edition. You don’t usually hear people pant on NPR.

Basically (if I remember this correctly), your best bet is to just walk briskly for 30 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week. According to the study they cited, people who did this regularly in their 50s apparently went into their 70s with very few disabilities, relative to the general population. I think they were aiming for about a 20 minute mile. The guy they interviewed said something about people always underestimating the benefits of walking.

Anyway, you can probably listen to a podcast if you’re curious to learn more.

[Llama_Llogophile]

@E.Thorp

Anyway, if I remember, the major recommendations are (1) exercise, (2) quit eating crap, and (3) have good relationships.

I am completely screwed.

[Broomstick]

You can do one and two on your own - for three, well, can’t help you there, but they say 2 out of 3 ain’t bad…