Finishing Strong

June 6, 2019

Everyone has the desire to look good and feel good. I believe our bodies (exceptions for those in a hospital bed of course!) represent our mental strength – whether we strive for excellence, are overwhelmed with insecurities, or that we are living disorderly lives.  

The BIG LIFE QUESTION here is, ‘Is physical frailty directly proportionate to older age?’

Published research by the University of Pittsburg (September, 2011) provide some answers. The ‘study [findings] contradicts the common observation that muscle mass and strength decline as a function of aging alone. Instead, these declines may signal the effect of chronic disuse rather than muscle aging.’ Also, that the ‘maintenance of muscle mass and strength may decrease or eliminate the…functional decline…that are commonly seen in aging adults.’  But that’s not the only scientific research providing answers. Echoing similar findings is a much recent research study conducted by Dr. Arora Duggal of the University of Birmingham, Dr. Ross Pollock of King’s College in London and other leading scientists in the United Kingdom. Published early last year, it was concluded ‘…that many features of immune-senescence (deterioration of the immune system) may be driven by reduced physical activity with age.’

Whatever age bracket or era we may be in our lives, as long as there is breath in our nostrils, there is still a chance – an opportunity to finish strong. And a living example of this is Dixon Hemphill. Introducing Mr. Hemphill, a US Navy veteran, a car crash survivor (aged 74 at the time) and currently a 93 year old world class athlete runner. In 2016, at 91 years old, the Department of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at the George Washington University, conducted studies on his physicality. It was found that Mr. Hemphill had 14.2% of body fat, which is equivalent to a 20-year old athlete. Also, a VO2 max test conducted on him (reviewing his body’s efficiency in oxygen usage) revealed that he had better physical fitness than many people thirty years his younger.

And finally, I have learned that coupling a healthy diet, adequate sleep and mental (and spiritual) enlightenment, with daily physical activity has helped me become goal oriented and purpose driven. Through about five minutes to an hour of bodyweight exercises, I maintain a flat tummy and a lean built physique just by targeting the upper and lower body interchangeably on every other day. And if I have a busy and tiring week, I strive to hit at least one day of upper body and another day of lower body workouts. But if worst comes to worst, a day of (an hour’s worth) full body workout per week.

It is therefore safe to say, that physical activity daily (with healthy lifestyle habits and nutrition) is enough to keep you finishing physically strong, even long into the twilight years of life.