Strength Declining With Age

HiDesertHal

HiDesertHal

Senior Member
Location
Southern California's High Mojave Desert
Hello,

57 years ago, when I was 24, I had just completed the Army's Basic Training course, and I was in the best physical condition of my Life.

To graduate from Basic, we had to perform various physical tests to see how we've done during the 16-week course.

One of the tests was Push-Ups, and I was able to do 41 military-style pushups, the most I've ever done in my life.

But over the intervening 57 years, that number has declined, until now, at age 81, the most I can grind out are eight.

But at least I can do eight, and I'll bet there are some Seniors who can't do that many!

Cheers,
HiDesertHal
 

I've always been pretty strong for a woman, did a lot of physical work in my younger years and still do to a good degree. But I'm in my mid 60s, and I am definitely feeling less strong in my old age....but probably in better condition than some of my peers. There are just some things that are a struggle now to achieve.
 
For me, it was in my early 50s. I was the charge nurse on a psych. ward. We had an 18 year old guy, who was having a psychotic episode, trying to beat up people. We had him on the floor, waiting for his medication to kick in. My job was to hold down his right arm. He was a strong, well built guy. I just barely was able to keep his arm still. I remember one of the aides looking at me with a "what is wrong with you" look. I just wasn't as strong as I used to be. That was hard to take
 
Strength declines for sure. I don't open jar lids as easily as I did just 5 years ago and I don't attempt to lift anything heavier than 25 lbs. WHY SHOULD I ? I can still get in and out of a chair with out falling on my ass. I got nothing to prove.
 
Most articles on the subject of strength loss lead me to understand that loss of strength is unstoppable....but we should slow down the process via exercise. Excercise seems to be much more important now that we have the choice of living longer. Muscle cant be replaced as we get older, so we have to keep using whatever we have have at each stage of aging. For me at 84, I MUST climb stairs (instead of elevator) and walk, etc., to keep agile.
 
jclothi said:
Most articles on the subject of strength loss lead me to understand that loss of strength is unstoppable....but we should slow down the process via exercise. Excercise seems to be much more important now that we have the choice of living longer. Muscle cant be replaced as we get older, so we have to keep using whatever we have have at each stage of aging. For me at 84, I MUST climb stairs (instead of elevator) and walk, etc., to keep agile.
Click to expand...

It's true, use it or lose it as they say. Stretching is very good too, I used to do it every day and I've been lazy about it for a long time now.
 
Angelo (Charles Atlas) died at 80. I am 84. At the moment I could still throw Angelo, dead or alive, out the window.
What I have read is that muscle rebuilding at my age does not work. A stiff, fatty muscle is what I would get.
So, only thing is to hold on to the wee strength that I have. Muscle will continue to be dissolved (yuck) but I can slow it down.
And that is a maybe...depending on my genes and the signals they send to the glands and bod. ...John
 
jclothi said:
Angelo (Charles Atlas) died at 80. I am 84. At the moment I could still throw Angelo, dead or alive, out the window.
What I have read is that muscle rebuilding at my age does not work. A stiff, fatty muscle is what I would get.
So, only thing is to hold on to the wee strength that I have. Muscle will continue to be dissolved (yuck) but I can slow it down.
And that is a maybe...depending on my genes and the signals they send to the glands and bod. ...John
Click to expand...

Is that what happens to your golf game?

I'm 84. I concentrate on agility and balance instead of strength.

I ride a bicycle every day and walk instead of using my car.
 
Mine too helen I usually get them open by 'tapping' all round the lid with a knife handle, this seems to release it, if not I take it to work and ask a man to do it .....
 
Time to get a Gilhoolie to help with those jar lids.

This is an official one.

$_58.JPG


This is the smaller version that I use.

il_fullxfull.331541783.jpg


Both versions are available at the Vermont Country Store.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top