Exercise Is Essential for Health and Longevity in Older Men

Why should we really care about exercise? After all, there are probably more comfortable things we could be doing instead. 

Well, for folks our age, falls are the fifth leading cause of death. Accidental falls account for 50% of all injury-related deaths of Washington state residents ages 65 and older. 

If you're over age 65, and break your hip or femur in a fall, there's a 15%-30% probability of death. Even among the survivors (meaning the people who don’t go on to die within 12 months), 50% of those people never reach the same level of function again. Even minor setbacks become permanent setbacks.

At 65+, people typically experience noticeable reductions in strength and vestibular changes, which increase the risk of falling.

Several in our group have already had serious falls or injuries. So wouldn't you agree that exercise and physical fitness is more important to each of us than ever before? The only way you can gain strength and stability is through exercising your body; otherwise your muscles atrophy and you descend into a doom loop.

Red line = Consequences of the Doom Loop

Not exercising is like smoking. Either way, you reduce your quality of life and shorten your lifespan.

We all know we "should" exercise. But we don't actually do it -- or don't do it consistently.  

The purpose of this page is to help you think a bit about exercises and explore various options that you might find interesting or enjoyable. There's no better time to get started than right now!

Click here to see some good exercise options available in Seattle.

What Should You Do About Exercise?

Perhaps you know you need to exercise more, but you're unsure how to approach it.

Peter Attia, MD, author of Outlive, the Science and Art of Longevity, has offered an in-depth discussion of exercise for aging people.

In his presentation, Dr Attia reviews:

• The 4 pillars of exercise
• Why it is not too late to get started, even if you've never exercised
• What one can do to start exercising
• How to minimize injury risk
• How to maximize your potential
• Answers common question you may have

Click here for Dr. Attia's presentation: Exercise for Aging People

Don't Forget to Play!

Stephen Jepson, a 71 year old senior, believes the key to never losing your balance -- or your mind -- is in the games and activities of our youth. He believes it can help you build brain cells, develop neural pathways and prevent or delay Alzheimer’s and dementia. What is his prescription? Play! Watch him below.

Did Stephen give you any ideas for play activities that you could do? Think of one thing and give it a try!

Walking

There's no excuse for not walking.  Good for the body and the mind. 

Here's a list of 27 interesting walks you can do, either alone or with some of the guys in the men's group.

Seattle's 89-year-old ‘Walking Man’

Do you remember the article in the Seattle Times about an older man walking 20,000 miles in Seattle? How many miles have you racked up so far? If zero, there's still time to get started. The Greenwood men's group has at least one member who walks 1,200 miles per year.

Bill Hoppin logging some of his 20,000 miles

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