Old Microbiologist
Recycles dryer sheets
I was a serious athlete and competed in some of the more esoteric and physically demanding sports like ski orienteering, ski biathlon, marathons, and triathlons. I also did things like Mountain biking competitions all of which were really tough on the VO2 max. I also usually was on a military marksmanship team (usually as the Captain due to my rank) and there are some tough events like run and shoot at distance where heart rate recovery time is critical. The same is true for the Biathlon. My best recovery times were when I was 37. That year was also my best Triathlon and marathon times as well and also when I had my first child. I am still in great shape at 67 nearly where I was in my 40's and 50's. Yes, there is a slight decline and some injuries (lost both menisci in my knees so no more running) which forced some changes but in general I am great. I can still go out and mountain bike 40 km or a long ride like 100 km without training up for it. I go for 10-20 km hikes at least 3 times a week in the nearby forests and hills which is rejuvenating. I live on 1,800 calories a day which is a sign of slower metabolism with aging. More and I gain weight. Mentally, I was at my best at 42 when I earned my PhD.
I developed my own training program during my late 30's and into my 40's to improve my VO2 Max scientifically which was very successful. I was trying to improve my triathlon times as my muscle fiber mix was heavily slow twitch fibers which cannot be changed as it is genetically determined. My lineage favors long slow distance and I can go all day at a slower pace which is great for endurance stuff but bad when you need speed bursts. So that only leaves you with improving your VO2 max to improve speed for a longer period. The cost was developing a much larger heart (megacardia) so I tend to suffer from bradycardia (unusually slow heart rate). I also developed exercise induced arrhythmia which is common in older athletes who trained hard for decades. Both are not a problem but freak physicians out when they see it. Once you explain you are a serious athlete they get it. I also have a Black Belt in Kendo which is another physically demanding sport. I earned that after I turned 50.
My point is that if you stay in shape which is not particularly easy you get benefits. I no longer compete in anything but I do work out roughly 3 hours a day and every other day I do weight lifting to keep the bones in good shape and stay defined. I do the weight routine on a whole body vibration machine which adds a great deal to any workout and especially seems good for repairing arthritis and osteoporosis. My wife, who hates exercise and thinks I am insane, has her own machine and now after 6 weeks has improved dramatically her back pain problems. She is 72 and looks 50. No one here in Hungary believes I an 67. They all think I am in my 50's as well. So, I think it is genetic. My mother at 95 looks 70 ate horribly and never exercised one day in her life.
I developed my own training program during my late 30's and into my 40's to improve my VO2 Max scientifically which was very successful. I was trying to improve my triathlon times as my muscle fiber mix was heavily slow twitch fibers which cannot be changed as it is genetically determined. My lineage favors long slow distance and I can go all day at a slower pace which is great for endurance stuff but bad when you need speed bursts. So that only leaves you with improving your VO2 max to improve speed for a longer period. The cost was developing a much larger heart (megacardia) so I tend to suffer from bradycardia (unusually slow heart rate). I also developed exercise induced arrhythmia which is common in older athletes who trained hard for decades. Both are not a problem but freak physicians out when they see it. Once you explain you are a serious athlete they get it. I also have a Black Belt in Kendo which is another physically demanding sport. I earned that after I turned 50.
My point is that if you stay in shape which is not particularly easy you get benefits. I no longer compete in anything but I do work out roughly 3 hours a day and every other day I do weight lifting to keep the bones in good shape and stay defined. I do the weight routine on a whole body vibration machine which adds a great deal to any workout and especially seems good for repairing arthritis and osteoporosis. My wife, who hates exercise and thinks I am insane, has her own machine and now after 6 weeks has improved dramatically her back pain problems. She is 72 and looks 50. No one here in Hungary believes I an 67. They all think I am in my 50's as well. So, I think it is genetic. My mother at 95 looks 70 ate horribly and never exercised one day in her life.
