As witnessed at last summer’s Olympic Games, athletes at all ages are competing successfully and enjoying greater fitness as they age. Witness Dara Torres, who at age 41 has competed in more Olympic games than any other American swimmer and says her stroke has improved with age. Or Constantina Tomescu-Dita of Romania, a 38-year-old mom who grabbed gold in the women’s marathon. More and more athletes are competing and even entering the fitness world for the first time in their 40s, 50s and beyond.
With the growing popularity of triathlon, there are increasing numbers of athletes over 40 and baby boomers entering the sport. Studies even show that older athletes may have an advantage. According to Karen Francis, a behavioral neuroscientist at the University of San Francisco and author of “Physical Dimensions of Aging, “I liken it to a pianist who has done very deliberate practice for 50 years. That individual will know exactly what is needed to perform the piece. The older athlete is aware of how his or her body has changed with age and will anticipate what is needed to perform.” With increased age comes enhanced body awareness, maturity and life experience to help know how hard to train and when to rest. Knowing one’s body and one’s limits can help create a specific training plan that is appropriate to specific talents and fitness level. Compare the seasoned athlete to the young, aggressive athlete who may train incessantly to the point of injury.
As we age, our speed decreases, but we still have the endurance to sustain a long effort. Also, the sport of triathlon – as opposed to other endurance events such as marathons – is comprised of three sports and therefore puts less impact on the body than the sustained effort of just one sport. The cross-training aspect of triathlon allows the body to rest and recover on alternating days and the use of different muscle groups keeps the body fit in a more comprehensive “all-over-body” way.
Staying fit as we age offers health benefits such increased strength, stamina and energy, and is really the key to longevity and quality of life. “We are learning that exercise actually reverses some basic aspects of aging at the molecular level,” said Simon Melov, who directs genomics at the Buck Institute for Age Research in Novato, California. “Exercise doesn’t just make muscles stronger, it makes muscles younger.”
The sport of triathlon specifically offers mental and physical challenges, opportunities to train outside and enjoy the beauty of nature and surrounding environments, the chance to meet new people through clubs, training groups and races, and the aspect of competition that keeps people fresh and engaged and part of a community.
As people enter retirement age, they find they have more time to train and it is less of a stress and more of a fun, social outlet. Also, it has been proven that cardiovascular exercise (like swimming, biking and running) benefits brain health and can help offset diseases such as Alzheimer’s.
There are currently no studies that suggest that being active will increase your lifespan (although apart from genetics or uncontrollable factors (like accidental death), fitness is the primary factor in determining potential longevity, decreased disease risk and quality of life. Either way, as the legendary runner, Jim Fixx said, “Running (or substitute triathlon) may not add years to your life, but it definitely adds life to your years.”
Rachel Schey
Rachel’s Mobile Fitness Training
San Francisco, CA
415-269-5238
rachel@rachelsmobilefitness.com
www.rachelsmobilefitness.com
Rachel is an A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer, Pilates Certified Instructor and Sports Nutrition Consultant, as well as a USA Track and Field Member with a Level 1 USA Track and Field Coaching Certification
