The effects of endurance exercise training on cognitive function in older adults

[CoachBobM]

An article titled "Chronic endurance exercise training prevents aging-related cognitive decline in healthy older adults: a randomized controlled trial" appeared in the December 23, 2009 issue of the International Journal of Geriatriatric Psychiatry and reported the results of a one-year study in which a group of 60 subjects aged 65-74 years were placed in a supervised Endurance Exercise Training program for one year. Cognitive function was assessed at the beginning and end of the study, both in the 60 patients who were treated and in a control group of 60 patients who did not receive the same treatment. Subjects in the treatment group were 2.74 times as likely to have maintained stable cognitive status at the end of the year than were subjects in the control group.

[Grant]

Originally Posted by CoachBobM

An article titled " Subjects in the treatment group were 2.74 times as likely to have maintained stable cognitive status at the end of the year than were subjects in the control group.

Thanks for posting this, Bob. It corresponds with my own experience. I have done endurance practices either by running or swimming for 35 yrs and now at 74 it is only in the last year that I have felt a slippage. I would encourage everyone to maintain their practices as long as it is possible. Even tho I experience some reduction in the above I hate to think what it would of been like if I had not been doing the regimen.

[BradMM]

Too bad it doesn't help REGAIN some of that!

Slipping at 55...

[Grant]

A friend at the last Masters meet I was at contributed what I thought was an inciteful comment, which follows.
The person that slows down the slowest is the likely winner.

[BradMM]

Originally Posted by Grant

A friend at the last Masters meet I was at contributed what I thought was an inciteful comment, which follows.
The person that slows down the slowest is the likely winner.

What does that mean to you?

[Grant]

Originally Posted by BradMM

What does that mean to you?

The context of our conversation was the erosion of our racing times as we aged especially upon reaching the 60's or the 70's. We all had had that experience. So his comment was speaking to that trend. The one who could slow down the slide the most would have the best chance to win a race. So what that means to me is to be constantly looking for improved technique and appropriate intensity of practice. As well as good nutrition and loosening/stretching habits (yoga and such) and core strengthening work.

[BradMM]

Slowing down the aging slide is high on my list, too! I'd love to have a whole forum just to stay in touch with people on that very topic. I'm 55 now but the reason that I do what I do (swim, lift, read a lot) is for that very purpose. Most of the fitness forums that I've visited are dominated by the 20-somethings.

Thanks!

Brad

[shuumai]

Originally Posted by BradMM

Slowing down the aging slide is high on my list, too! I'd love to have a whole forum just to stay in touch with people on that very topic. I'm 55 now but the reason that I do what I do (swim, lift, read a lot) is for that very purpose. Most of the fitness forums that I've visited are dominated by the 20-somethings.

Do you want to create a fitness forum? It really isn't that hard to create a forum like we have here. Inexpensive Web hosting, a domain name, and free software is all it takes.

This reminds of a line from "The Peaceful Warrior" movie. "Those who are the hardest to love need it the most." When it comes to fitness, those who are older, weaker, and less fit need exercise the most, yet they are less likely to be active compared to younger, more fit people. Or at least younger people talk about fitness more on the Web.

You can do your best to be as fit as you can, but to not accept natural aging would be counter productive to having a relaxed state of mind. Aging involves change and eventually death. Sorry. heh (I'm actually trying to express something helpful, but it isn't quite working out.) And stressing over it could make it happen sooner.

[BradMM]

Originally Posted by shuumai

Do you want to create a fitness forum? It really isn't that hard to create a forum like we have here. Inexpensive Web hosting, a domain name, and free software is all it takes.

Yes, I've created a few forums but I don't sometimes have the patience to wait until they are "populated." On the other hand, there's a couple that have been around for 15 +/- years.

Originally Posted by shuumai

This reminds of a line from "The Peaceful Warrior" movie. "Those who are the hardest to love need it the most." When it comes to fitness, those who are older, weaker, and less fit need exercise the most, yet they are less likely to be active compared to younger, more fit people. Or at least younger people talk about fitness more on the Web.

Or more succinctly, youth is wasted on the young.

Originally Posted by shuumai

You can do your best to be as fit as you can, but to not accept natural aging would be counter productive to having a relaxed state of mind. Aging involves change and eventually death. Sorry. heh (I'm actually trying to express something helpful, but it isn't quite working out.) And stressing over it could make it happen sooner.

As my children have told me, DENIAL is not just a river in Egypt!

Enjoyed your feedback, thanks!

[shuumai]

Originally Posted by BradMM

Or more succinctly, youth is wasted on the young.

As my children have told me, DENIAL is not just a river in Egypt!

Yes, you've summed it up quite nicely.

I'd say that youth is wasted on teen-agers. Younger kids and older people seems to have better insight when it comes to living. Blame the hormones. heh

A question you might ask your children: Do you think you will automatically be as fit as I am when you reach my current age?

To quote the Dalai Lama, "...instead of avoiding these sufferings, we deliberately visualise them--the sufferings of birth, the sufferings of aging, the sufferings of fluctuations of status, the sufferings of uncertainty within this lifetime, and the sufferings of death. We deliberately try to think of them so that when we do face them, we are prepared."

Meanwhile, it can't hurt to get up and exercise a bit!