The Secret to Staying Spry as You Age?
It’s a fact of life: as the candles on our birthday cake multiply, our once-sprightly steps start to slow. Those lightning-fast reflexes that served us so well in our youth give way to a more measured pace.
But have you ever wondered why this happens? Is it just an inevitable part of the aging process, or is there more to the story?
A groundbreaking study led by engineers at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) is finally shedding light on this age-old mystery. And the answers they’ve uncovered could have far-reaching implications for how we approach aging and age-related diseases.
The study, published in the journal JNeurosci, is one of the first to experimentally investigate the competing theories behind the slowdown in movement among adults over the age of 65. And what they found is fascinating.
It turns out that older adults may move slower, at least in part, because it simply costs them more energy than their younger counterparts.
To reach this conclusion, the researchers asked participants aged 18-35 and 66-87 to complete a simple reaching task, similar to playing a video game. By analyzing patterns of these reaches, the team discovered that older adults seemed to modify their motions under certain circumstances to conserve their more limited energy supplies.
The study explored two main hypotheses for why older adults move slower.
The first suggests that aging muscles may work less efficiently, burning more calories to complete the same tasks as younger adults. The second proposes that changes in the brain’s reward circuitry, driven by a decline in dopamine production, could be to blame.
Interestingly, the researchers found that when they added an eight-pound weight to the robotic arm used by younger participants, the differences between the two age groups disappeared. This suggests that the brain is exquisitely sensitive to changes in energy expenditure and adjusts our movements accordingly.
As co-lead study author Dr. Robert Courter puts it, “Even when moving with just a few extra pounds, reacting quicker became the energetically cheaper option to get to the reward, so the young adults imitated the older adults and did just that.”
So, what does this mean for those of us hoping to stay spry well into our golden years? While the study can’t completely rule out the brain’s reward centers as a factor, it does suggest that the effort costs of movement play a significant role in the age-related slowdown.
The good news is that there are plenty of steps we can take to help maintain our mobility and energy levels as we age:
- Stay active: Regular exercise, including a mix of cardio and strength training, can help preserve muscle mass and efficiency.
- Eat a balanced diet: Fueling your body with nutrient-dense foods can provide the energy your muscles need to function optimally.
- Prioritize sleep: Adequate rest is crucial for muscle recovery and overall energy levels.
- Stay mentally engaged: Challenging your brain with new activities and social connections may help maintain dopamine levels and reward circuitry.
- Listen to your body: If certain movements start to feel more effortful, don’t ignore it. Talk to your doctor about strategies to maintain your mobility and independence.
By understanding the factors that contribute to age-related slowdowns, we can take proactive steps to stay nimble and energetic well into our later years.
To staying spry,
Rachel Mace
Managing Editorial Director, e-Alert
with contributions from the research team
P.S. How to keep back pain from stealing your mobility.
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