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Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

bbc.co.uk

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Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#161

Post by trapperkeeper79 »

omegaham wrote: post #82
ck425 wrote: post #70

Does anyone else worry about staying fit as an office worker? As much as I enjoy my career, I might give serious consideration to moving into something more physical in future. While you can easily fit in a decent amount of exercise outside of work if you only work 40 hours, it strikes me as much more efficient to make your work exercise in and off itself. I spent one summer working as a software engineer intern with…

My workplace provides a nice gym. I lift during my lunch break.

Shower? For me, that makes the lunch break workout impractical :(

Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#162

Post by daphneokeefe »

zeteo wrote: post #156

Looking at the funnel plot in fig. 3 in the linked meta-analysis [1], the high precision studies (standard error "randomisation; allocation concealment; blinding of therapists (intervention supervisors); blinding of participants; blinding of outcome assessors; handling of incomplete data (use of intention-to-treat analysis); selective reporting and any other risk of bias." [1] Also, the result was only statistically…

Thank you for spending the time to assess the validity of the claimed result, and for taking the time to explain it to us. This is a great example of the frequently poor quality of reported scientific studies.

Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#163

Post by codebolt »

criddell wrote: post #144
codebolt wrote: post #138

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I used to hate any type of training for years, but I'm really glad I was able to coax myself into starting & sticking with it in spite of my resistance. Few things in life have so many upsides and so few downsides. Anyway, I think you have to commit to it long enough that you actually see some measurable results. Many people give up before they even reach that point. It takes effort and persistence, but not on some s…

Did you hire a trainer? I'm thinking that might be something that makes a difference for me. A bigger financial commitment plus a human being that is expecting me to show up would make it more likely that I follow through.

No, but I did have a workout buddy for the first year or so that I was going, so that probably helped. But anyway, I'd still recommend a trainer as he might be able to identify any weak spots in your posture, mobility etc and give better personalized advice than what you'd find online. Had I had one early on, I might not have ended up as a hunchback with huge arms and chicken legs after my first few years of training (I've luckily been able to develop a more balanced physique since).

Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#164

Post by nradov »

ams6110 wrote: post #127
r_singh wrote: post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Precisely, one should quit all excuses! My father was prescribed to storvas (for cholesterol) over a decade ago... luckily he is an avid reader and soon found out what road the permanent meds lead to. He quit the meds and started working out consistently (never mind spondylitis which he combatted with bed rest) for 10 years (and still continuing). Today, he's over 50 and is killing it in every aspect in life. His min…

I just hate it. Not that I haven't tried. I've tried running, weights, walking. It's boring, and makes me feel tired and irritable. I just want to go to bed after exercise. Not my thing.

Gamification and competition can be a good motivator. I use the Strava.com mobile app to track endurance exercises (swimming/cycling/running) and just started using the Jefit app to track weightlifting. When I see my friends have been working out and beating me it gives an incentive to get off the couch.

There's nothing wrong with going straight to bed after exercise. You'll probably sleep better for it.

Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#165

Post by dbg31415 »

ams6110 wrote: post #127
r_singh wrote: post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Precisely, one should quit all excuses! My father was prescribed to storvas (for cholesterol) over a decade ago... luckily he is an avid reader and soon found out what road the permanent meds lead to. He quit the meds and started working out consistently (never mind spondylitis which he combatted with bed rest) for 10 years (and still continuing). Today, he's over 50 and is killing it in every aspect in life. His min…

I just hate it. Not that I haven't tried. I've tried running, weights, walking. It's boring, and makes me feel tired and irritable. I just want to go to bed after exercise. Not my thing.

Soccer? Frisbee? I had a problem not wanting to do things if it wasn't competitive... and not wanting to play if I wasn't going to be good...

Anyway I sort of got over that... but mostly I just have some dogs I walk now. We do a 5 mile loop before breakfast every morning. Made a big difference in my health and mindset. Plus... it means getting up early enough to do a 5 mile loop before breakfast, and since I'm competitive (even with myself) I started saying, "Ok, yesterday was 1 hour... can I do the same walk in 55 minutes today?" So that turned into jogging... and a few years into it I really started liking to jog. My morning feels off if I don't get the blood flowing before I shower.

Think a dog or a stopwatch would help?

Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#166

Post by AlwaysRock »

dvcrn wrote: post #79

My problem with exercise is simply time. There are a million things I want to do and with a 10-7 work shift, I just can't do much. Staying 30 minutes longer happens easily so it's 7:30. Commuting to the gym would take another 20-30. 1h in the gym and it's 9 (or later). Commuting an hour home and it's 10. Go to supermarket, maybe cook something up and it could easily be 11 already. This leaves 1-2h max to do anything…

http://www.simplefit.org/workout.html

Check this out. I workout three times a week for 20ish minutes or less. I modify this method a bit. Curls instead of pull ups and kettle bell swings instead of squats. I bought everything so I've got it all at home. Kettle bell and two dumbbells take up very little space. If you actually want to exercise there is always a way. I'm not in the same shape I was in when I was working out at the gym 6 days a week but I don't need to be anymore.

Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#167

Post by readhn »

Can a person overcome lack of exercise by eating healthy?

Can a person overcome lack of good nutrition by exercising regularly ?

Exercise goes hand in hand with nutrition IMO. People who exercise tend to eat better and healthier foods.

If someone did not exercise routinely - they could easily improve their health by eating properly!

What is more important? healthy nutrition or regular physical activity or both?!

* And dont forget about about sleep!!!

Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#168

Post by Mankhool »

As someone who is in his fifties, and just took my first real break from the gym in 40 years (2 months off) I can easily say I don't miss it. I still walk to/from work, which is about a 12km round trip, 5 times a week.

And although I have considered never picking up a weight again, I know the benefits of weight bearing exercise and so, sometime this year, will go back to they gym, but less frequently and for a shorter duration.

And never forget that 50% of your health is nutrition.

Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#169

Post by fsloth »

cpursley wrote: post #145
fsloth wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A message from another couch potato trying to improve oneself :) You don't need to go to the Gym. What you need to do, is to take ownership of your body and your health regimen. You don't need any complex mechanical stuff to do that. Bodyweight exercises are more than enough for regular folks and you can do them at home. Research. See what works for you. These guys have a terrific supportive attitude and great do-at-…

> Gym is marketing bullshit I totally disagree. While you can absolutely get fit without a gym, it's difficult to serious build muscle mass without lifting weights.

I don't think we disagree. I'm not saying you shouldn't go to a gym if you like it, nor that the equipment there is non-functional. I'm saying, it's not necessary for health benefits.

The context of the discussion was the claim that one needs to go to a gym to maintain a healthy regimen of exercise, which I vehemently oppose.

In this context the main goal of exercise is longevity and staying healthy as possible through senescence.

I don't think there is any conclusive evidence of how much muscle mass is needed for better longevity. My long bet is that regular farmers walks with enough weights are enough for that (combined with some body weight exercises like pull ups).

I don't need the gym for my farmers walks. I have a few rubbery bikes handles strapped to 40 kg weights which I lug around outside my house. I have a pull up bar at home. Done. No need to go to gym.

This is partly a lifestyle choice - I don't enjoy exercise, but I've seen relatives go in a bad way after they forgot to take care of themselves for a couple of decades. I want a regimen that provides sufficient benefits, with as few excuses not to do them as possible.

Re: Exercise 'keeps the mind sharp' in over-50s, study finds

#170

Post by kerbalspacepro »

danielbln wrote: post #157
Angostura wrote: post #150

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But we're talking about health, not muscle mass.

Also, you don't need a gym to use weights. A few dumb-bells and a pull-up bar are cheap enough and easy to stow away at home.

Beware of the Diderot effect once you buy those, though!
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