Older people 'should exercise to build muscle even into their 80s'

Telegraph (U.K.) ^ | July 8, 2009 | Kate Devlin

[Schnucki]

Climbing the stairs, housework, walking and even washing were made easier if elderly people worked out two or three times a week, researchers found.

People lose muscle as they age, which can make daily chores more difficult.

But working out by using small weights or elastic bands can help to rebuild these muscles, a review of the available evidence shows, while the risks of developing an injury are low for older people.

Chiung-ju Liu of the Department of Occupational Therapy at Indiana University, who carried out the study, said: "Older adults seem to benefit from this type of exercise even at the age of 80, and even with some type of health condition.

"The data support the idea that muscle strength is largely improved after the training, and the impact on older adults' daily activities can be significant.

"Simply having enough strength to do things such as carrying groceries would make a difference for senior (citizens)."

The study, published by the Cochrane Library, looked at 121 trials, involving 6,700 people over the age of 60, all of whom exercised between two and three times a week.

[jiggyboy]

Ernest Borgnine’s secret (R-rated)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEhKZNQlJrY

[Clintons Are White Trash]

Well, since I don’t like housework and most of those other things I guess I can skip the exercise too? Geez, can’t I just get old and be a slacker???

[HighlyOpinionated]

Britain has 15,000 people over the age of 75 who die of Cancer as a direct result of their government run health care not believing in keeping people over 75 alive.

So why exercise at age 80 if you are a Brit? British Health Care will kill you if old age doesn’t.

[Fawn]

Jumping JAcks and things to make you jump are supposed to be very good for you..

[earlJam]

Izzy: So you think you're better than me?

[odin2008]

[Malesherbes]

I recently heard Borgnine interviewed on the radio. I wish him many more than his 91 years, and I think he will have them. This is a man who celebrates life.

[Lonely Bull]

I found this thread looking for something else, which something recent reminded me to try to find again. Since I haven't had any success despite using multiple methods and search terms, I'll just post here. :)

So there was this one post from someone who, I think, gave up heavy weights, changed his physique, or something because he didn't see anyone who was very old and very muscular, although the reasoning's never made a lot of sense to me.

To me, it's like saying that since you don't see very many old people who can do one-armed pushups, you shouldn't do one-armed pushups if you want to live a long time. :p

Anyway, here's something related to the main subject:

Strength Training Elderly Nursing Home Patients

Functional independence is neat.