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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

#211

Post by npsimons »

QSIITurbo wrote: post #206
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…

If people used their time to study and learn new things instead of fretting about their exercise, they'd be able to interpret the results of studies like these.

If people used their time to exercise instead of watch TV/Netflix/Hulu, they'd be able to think more clearly and better absorb the results of studies like these.

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

#212

Post by npsimons »

3131s wrote: post #204
stupidhn wrote: post #200

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> it's difficult to serious build muscle mass without lifting weights. Who said anything about building serious mass? There are many, say, professional fighters who do very little weight training and they look exceptional (literally). You want to get in shape, you don't need a gym. Do hard work for 30 minutes a day. Work that makes you sweaty and tired. Run, sprint, pushups, burpees, anything. You will get in shape.…

Wait until you get an injury. Professional fighters might be an exception because the type of workouts they do (like grappling) recruit many different muscles, but there's a reason that nearly all sprinters for example train with weights. If you don't do any weight training, definitely make sure to cross train with a variety of activities to avoid becoming imbalanced. That said, you only need a rack, a bar, a bench,…

> Machines are totally unnecessary.

Machines are actually worse than free weights; you don't get a full body workout, especially all those stabilizer muscles that help prevent injury.

> hardened against injuries.

I can second this; while I've not become extremely strong, I credit strength training for my lack of broken bones after taking a 600ft tumble down a hard pack snow slope. Strength training in recovery also helped me heal faster.

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

#213

Post by samsonradu »

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.

Did you consider picking up a sport? Say squash, football, basketball, anything? I can see why weights are boring, running is also kinda meh imo.

But sports is motivating for me, I see all those footbal stars on tv and I'm dying to try the moves, the drills and get better at it.

Also if you pick up a singles sports you probably should get a coach to set you on the right path in the beginning, you'll like it even more.

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

#214

Post by tsomctl »

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.

So buy a bar bell and weight bench off Craigslist or Amazon and stick it in your garage. Free weights are cheap, and better for you than machines.

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

#215

Post by stupidhn »

npsimons wrote: post #212
3131s wrote: post #204

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wait until you get an injury. Professional fighters might be an exception because the type of workouts they do (like grappling) recruit many different muscles, but there's a reason that nearly all sprinters for example train with weights. If you don't do any weight training, definitely make sure to cross train with a variety of activities to avoid becoming imbalanced. That said, you only need a rack, a bar, a bench,…

> Machines are totally unnecessary. Machines are actually worse than free weights; you don't get a full body workout, especially all those stabilizer muscles that help prevent injury. > hardened against injuries. I can second this; while I've not become extremely strong, I credit strength training for my lack of broken bones after taking a 600ft tumble down a hard pack snow slope. Strength training in recovery also h…

>Machines are actually worse than free weights; you don't get a full body workout

Yes and no. Free weights are the better of the two choices, but machines are head and shoulders better than free weights for solo trainer safety, which is a problem for us guys and gals trying to "fit it in" to our schedules, as well as beginners.

So, I don't discourage people from machines simply because they aren't optimal. They have their place. I generally use the rack to bench. I love the AirDyne and Concept 2, if those count!

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

#216

Post by 0xcafecafe »

r_singh wrote: post #116
theprop wrote: post #86

Do not say you're too busy to exercise. Your productivity is much higher when you exercise. Do not say you're too old to exercise. The older you are, the more crucial it is. Get in the habit. Start with even just 2 intense minutes a day. Once you're in the habit, you'll work out longer.

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…

Just curious, what are the issues that he found with regards to the medication? I am asking because I was prescribed statins at 30 for the same issue.

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

#217

Post by efoto »

zeroami wrote: post #175
theprop wrote: post #86

Do not say you're too busy to exercise. Your productivity is much higher when you exercise. Do not say you're too old to exercise. The older you are, the more crucial it is. Get in the habit. Start with even just 2 intense minutes a day. Once you're in the habit, you'll work out longer.

Shameless plug: I work at fitness startup, MoveWith ( https://www.movewith.com ). We are focused on creating audio fitness classes by some of the best instructors. I know that sometimes I don't know what I should do so for me it has been really helpful to have an instructor in my ear guiding my workout, I am biased here of course ;). I have created a free gift trial for the Hacker News community (no credit card requi…

I just tried low intensity audio workout. Some feedback: I quit after 3 minutes not being able to imagine any of the movements, crunch being an exception. It may be a neat idea for gym junkies, but useless for beginners.

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

#218

Post by ChemicalWarfare »

tallanvor wrote: post #75
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…

If you can find a job that you love that requires moderate activity, and funds a lifestyle you can get enjoyment from, that's obviously great. But this study doesn't suggest that you need to do this to stay sharp. And, at least in the US, the statistics show that average lifespan has actually been decreasing for people in blue collar jobs. Part of this may be that physically demanding jobs simply cause the body to we…

>> it is most likely that blue collar jobs usually don't include great healthcare plans

obv anecdotal but my friend who is a skilled tradesman has THE best health insurance through his union that I've ever heard of.

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

#219

Post by interfixus »

pc86 wrote: post #186
interfixus wrote: post #141

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can't really say I'm a fan of all the imperatives. I could even choose to consider them a bit on the rude side.

What is rude about them?

It's really just the general prescriptivism of the workout-crowd that gets me.

I'm quite capable of handling maintenance chores on my own mind & body, thank you, but this newfangled evangelism keeps coming at me from all angles.

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

#220

Post by z3t4 »

CalRobert wrote: post #84
z3t4 wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

if you exercise 5+ days/week you dont have to worry about diet. its often the other way around that many people strugle with eating enough to gain weight/muscles.

This is pretty much completely untrue. Anecdata, but I thought if I exercised like crazy I could eat terribly and be fine. I was wrong, and remained massively obese. When I started actually tracking my intake and eating healthier I lost massive amounts of weight, without any change in the exercise routine. It's been 10 years and I still have to watch my calories like a hawk if I want to stay below obese (I've quit tr…

What's your calories at, before and now ?
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