# Why can’t I run as fast as I used to? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 11, 2023, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-t-i-run-as-fast-as-i-used-to/986914 "2023-07-11T21:20:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![19USMC69](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/ac91a4/32.png) [@19USMC69](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/19USMC69)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2023, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-t-i-run-as-fast-as-i-used-to/986914/1 "2023-07-11T21:20:53Z")
I’ve been playing senior (55+) softball for 20+ years. When I started playing I was pretty fast. Now at 75, not so fast. I’ve put on a few pounds, maybe 5 or so, and I’m just as active. So what happened? The obvious answer is my age. OK, but what are the specific physiological changes that keep my legs from moving as fast as they used to? ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2023, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-t-i-run-as-fast-as-i-used-to/986914/2 "2023-07-11T21:28:59Z")
Age-related loss of muscle mass plays a big part. You lose myocytes as you age, particularly the fast twitch-type that you need for power movements and bursts of speed. ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2023, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-t-i-run-as-fast-as-i-used-to/986914/3 "2023-07-11T23:34:04Z")
People often get some arthritis when they age. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2023, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-t-i-run-as-fast-as-i-used-to/986914/4 "2023-07-12T00:08:34Z")
Doesn’t, also, the psychological impulse for injury avoidance increase as we get older? My athletic movements were far riskier when I was young. At 60, I’m more aware that “giving it my all” could have health consequences. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2023, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-t-i-run-as-fast-as-i-used-to/986914/5 "2023-07-12T01:08:30Z")
A big part yes but it seems to be at all levels, brain down. The brain ages and apparently doesn’t send the messages with as much fine tuned efficiency. That lack of neuromuscular efficiency may be the bigger factor. The loss of power is referred to as dynopenia. > **[What is dynapenia?](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3571692/)** > > Dynapenia (pronounced dahy-nuh-pē-nē-a, Greek translation for poverty of strength, power, or force) is the age-associated loss of muscle strength that is not caused by neurologic or muscular diseases. Dynapenia predisposes older adults ... ---
**Author:** ![md-2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@md-2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md-2000)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2023, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-t-i-run-as-fast-as-i-used-to/986914/6 "2023-07-12T12:55:14Z")
“They say the mind is the second thing to go…” ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2023, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-can-t-i-run-as-fast-as-i-used-to/986914/7 "2023-07-12T13:06:37Z")
> [@md-2000](#): > > “They say the mind is the second thing to go…” - I should have remembered that.