There’s a lot of misconceptions about aging.
Yes, once we hit about 35 years old, it is true that our VO2 max and stroke volume will incrementally diminish and we gradually lose muscle mass.
However, this is all relative. Compared to a sedentary person, these declines happen more slowly for athletes. Use it or lose it.Have you ever heard the phrase “a rolling stone grows no moss?”
The body does not stop adapting to training load as you get older. If we continue to move, breathe, train and stress our bodies in different ways, then they’ll continue to adapt and stay strong.
A common misconception is that older athletes can’t sprint.
Older athletes can’t sprint because they don’t sprint, not because the body is incapable of producing the power. If you train it you can do it. We just have to remember that sprinting is like anything else. Bring back the specificity and your body will adapt accordingly.
Another one is that older athletes can’t lift heavy weights.
I would argue that older athletes NEED to lift heavy weight. In fact, heavy resistance training is warranted when we are trying to combat things such as osteoporosis and arthritis.
To lose the ability to bend over, pick up something heavy and carry it for a substantial distance is to rob of us one of life’s most basic functions.
Remember, we don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.
Explore and experiment with different activities and hobbies and exercises. Run, jump, sprint and lift heavy weights.
As we age, we need MORE of these types of things. Not less.