NEVER TOO OLD...EVER! (60 + at the games no sarcopenia here)

When you're young you may not spend much time thinking about how your body will function as you get into your 50s, 60s and above. Or perhaps you're like my mother, who will be forever 50 odd years old which makes me forever 30 odd. Either way, the single most important factor in how you function when you get older is how strong you are.

FACT -From the age of 25 to 50 the decline in muscle mass is roughly 10%. By the time a person reaches the age of 80 their muscle mass is a little more than half of what it was in their 20s—unless they take strong steps to fight it.

The medical term for this process is sarcopenia, from the Greek meaning of “poverty of flesh.” Sarcopenia is to our muscle mass what osteoporosis is to our bones. While osteoporosis gets all the press, sarcopenia is actually a more significant factor. Sarcopenia is major predictor of physical disability and is linked to decreased vitality, poor balance, slow gait, dangerous falls, and fractures.

From the time you are born to around the time you turn 30, your muscles grow larger and stronger. But at some point in your 30s, you begin to lose muscle mass and function, a condition known as age-related sarcopenia. People who are physically inactive can lose as much as 3% to 5% of their muscle mass per decade after age 30. Even if you are active, you will still experience some muscle loss.

We know that lifting weights throughout your life can keep you strong, but what about if you're already an older adult? Can you make a difference or is there a point when you're too old to build strength and muscle. One study, published in The American Journal of Medicine says you can. In the study, researchers examined several studies to find out if lifting weights is actually valuable for adults over 50. They found that, over 18-20 weeks, older adults gained an average of 2.42 pounds of muscle and increased their strength by 25-30%.

If you've never strength trained, it can be tough to get started, but knowing what lies ahead - more strength, more muscle and a better quality of life - may add a little more motivation to the mix: Just watch these ladies in the 60 plus division at the Crossfit Games. They'll motivate you or perhaps the 60 + mens division.  No excuse!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nOn-_YZPSFs