I've participated in a couple of threads that talked about changes that occur starting in the 30 something years and then continue into old age. Part of this change is in RMR. This may be common knowledge to most here but if not, I thought it was worth repeating since maintenance of increased lean muscle mass should not be abandoned as one ages. As to RMR, metabolism does drop with age and more ferociously at 50. But one of NIH's research studies on adult males (I presume it applies as much or more to females) show that the drop in highly active subjects was actually due to their decreased exercise volume rather than the way some of us look at it as being a given with age. The study covered individuals in their 20s all they way up to mid 60s.

Here is a quote from the abstract on pubmed:

RMR(adj) was not significantly different in subgroups of young and older physically active men matched either for exercise volume (h/wk; n = 11 each) or estimated energy intake (kcal/day; n = 6 each). These results indicate that 1) RMR, per unit FFM, declines with age in highly physically active men; and 2) this decline is related to age-associated reductions in exercise volume and energy intake and does not occur in men who maintain exercise volume and/or energy intake at a level similar to that of young physically active men.

This is an extremely positive note in my way of looking at things. Good to think about when one turns about 30 and to keep in ones mind for the rest of ones life! The older you get the more fortitude and commitment it takes to maintain the regimen for lean muscle mass, if one can adjust their routines and diet to accommodate maintenance when it gets more difficult, the benefits still remain regardless the age. The "age-associated reductions" are of course the gotcha since long about 40 something, people let go of fitness for other things (like seriously making money ;)), as their fitness level goes, their capability to restore it becomes more difficult and is then coupled with further complications because of changes in other body chemistry. But it's nice to know that there is some choice involved for those who want to face the challenge, age changes are not a sentence.

Sorry if this is not really the right forum, didn't know where else to post it.

I've participated in a couple of threads that talked about changes that occur starting in the 30 something years and then continue into old age. Part of this change is in RMR. This may be common knowledge to most here but if not, I thought it was worth repeating since maintenance of increased lean muscle mass should not be abandoned as one ages. As to RMR, metabolism does drop with age and more ferociously at 50. But one of NIH's research studies on adult males (I presume it applies as much or more to females) show that the drop in highly active subjects was actually due to their decreased exercise volume rather than the way some of us look at it as being a given with age. The study covered individuals in their 20s all they way up to mid 60s.

Here is a quote from the abstract on pubmed:
RMR(adj) was not significantly different in subgroups of young and older physically active men matched either for exercise volume (h/wk; n = 11 each) or estimated energy intake (kcal/day; n = 6 each). These results indicate that 1) RMR, per unit FFM, declines with age in highly physically active men; and 2) this decline is related to age-associated reductions in exercise volume and energy intake and does not occur in men who maintain exercise volume and/or energy intake at a level similar to that of young physically active men.
This is an extremely positive note in my way of looking at things. Good to think about when one turns about 30 and to keep in ones mind for the rest of ones life! The older you get the more fortitude and commitment it takes to maintain the regimen for lean muscle mass, if one can adjust their routines and diet to accommodate maintenance when it gets more difficult, the benefits still remain regardless the age. The "age-associated reductions" are of course the gotcha since long about 40 something, people let go of fitness for other things (like seriously making money ;)), as their fitness level goes, their capability to restore it becomes more difficult and is then coupled with further complications because of changes in other body chemistry. But it's nice to know that there is some choice involved for those who want to face the challenge, age changes are not a sentence.

Sorry if this is not really the right forum, didn't know where else to post it.

Eagle Tree, thanks for posting that information. As someone who is turning 50 on Sunday it's personally relevant and while I've read about the benefits of continuing to exercise as one ages it's nice to read about another study that reaches the same conclusion.

Eagle Tree, thanks for posting that information. As someone who is turning 50 on Sunday it's personally relevant and while I've read about the benefits of continuing to exercise as one ages it's nice to read about another study that reaches the same conclusion.

You're welcome and enjoy the birthday, 54 will come next Thursday for me. Big difference in my outlook from the time I turned 50. Just yesterday I blew the top off my pull-ups and bent over BB rows, it's been one after another lifetime personal records for the last 7 months or so. Good to see scientific evidence supporting what I've been showing myself through high activity (in my case, weight training and diet)! Having some "authority" say it doesn't exactly damage the motivation :bb:! I think I will stay "highly active" ;).

RMR(adj) was not significantly different in subgroups of young and older physically active men matched either for exercise volume (h/wk; n = 11 each) or estimated energy intake (kcal/day; n = 6 each). These results indicate that 1) RMR, per unit FFM, declines with age in highly physically active men; and 2) this decline is related to age-associated reductions in exercise volume and energy intake and does not occur in men who maintain exercise volume and/or energy intake at a level similar to that of young physically active men.

:nod:

Actually I believe as you get older, you really want to increase the volume and intensity to compensate for hormone declines.

:nod:

Actually I believe as you get older, you really want to increase the volume and intensity to compensate for hormone declines.

Yep, and isn't that at odds with how humans approach exercise and aging. The motives change but increasing muscle mass, strength, and the conflicts of interleaving forms of stamina improvements remain focal, regardless of whether they are more difficult. The challenge is intriguing. On the plus side though, I notice in retiring from my "career", even in taking on a better job, you tend to have more latitude to chose workout patterns, sleep, and attention to diet. Those aspects are more difficult when in the 20s and 30s when you tend to have your schedule driven by outside influences with arbitrary rules.

I would not have had the freedom to go to the gym in my 30s and 40s when we were raising our son. It would not have been fair to my wife. Now that he's grown, and I'm in my 50s, I am not taking quality time from anyone else, just providing quality time for myself.

I really empathize with you young dad's keeping fit and raising your families. I know it's tough.

I would not have had the freedom to go to the gym in my 30s and 40s when we were raising our son. It would not have been fair to my wife. Now that he's grown, and I'm in my 50s, I am not taking quality time from anyone else, just providing quality time for myself.

I really empathize with you young dad's keeping fit and raising your families. I know it's tough.

Well I have a six year old, but I had to get serious about the gym because my health wasn't going to be that good without workouts.

Well I have a six year old, but I had to get serious about the gym because my health wasn't going to be that good without workouts.

That's close to parity with me. Mine's 15 but I'm 5 years older than you. We raise families a bit later now. I retired because of that (so I could spend the rest of his childhood at home) and then started a new career that let's me pick my schedule, including workouts. That's all I meant. Statistically people make the most money in their lives between 50 and 60 which is somewhat a conflict in hooking up to fitness at that point you realize you better do it or you're toast.

I agree on that last point, late 40s early 50s meant that anytime I did heavy labor, standing up to get out of bed wasn't any fun. The weights have made a difference.

That's close to parity with me. Mine's 15 but I'm 5 years older than you. We raise families a bit later now. I retired because of that (so I could spend the rest of his childhood at home)

I agree on that last point, late 40s early 50s meant that anytime I did heavy labor, standing up to get out of bed wasn't any fun. The weights have made a difference.

Yeah I have worked stupid hard to be able to retire soon; I haven't figured out the next career though. So I agree with your thinking.

And yeah, a lot of desk job was starting to get to me, and lifting has made all the difference. I had previously done other things - walking, cycling, even a little of my old sport (fencing), but lifting has made the big difference.

I would not have had the freedom to go to the gym in my 30s and 40s when we were raising our son. It would not have been fair to my wife. Now that he's grown, and I'm in my 50s, I am not taking quality time from anyone else, just providing quality time for myself.

I really empathize with you young dad's keeping fit and raising your families. I know it's tough.

Getting the family involved is rather important to be successful when you have a family. Having my son workout at the same time I do is really good for him. Kids are way too sedentary and he's definitely not an ectomorph. Even his mom, my ex-wife, is getting into the act. I got him a 4 foot bar and some olympic plates for her mothers day present. First thing I did was show her conventional deadlift form and she's hot on it. She's reading the "Lift like a Man, Look like a Goddess" book which is extremely good, the cute title belies just how much quality info the book has. I picked that up a few weeks back based on a recommendation of a regular here. Making fitness good for the whole family makes it more convenient for oneself too.

Yeah I have worked stupid hard to be able to retire soon; I haven't figured out the next career though. So I agree with your thinking.

And yeah, a lot of desk job was starting to get to me, and lifting has made all the difference. I had previously done other things - walking, cycling, even a little of my old sport (fencing), but lifting has made the big difference.

Yeah, I initially started to jog again which was my old standard (all pretty much endurance exercise methods) and both my knees and hips just said "NO". Diving back into Martial Arts had no positive impact except mentally and somewhat aerobically. But my woodsy farm work created the random heavy lifts and movements that were killing me without being organized enough to benefit.

I think the "next career" appears when the time for it becomes available. When it happens, optimally, you're 20 feet from desk to gym. I think work has to be the most deleterious activity we have to fitness between commute and most jobs being light or completely sedentary. I was doing 5 hours sitting in the car and 8 or more onsite. A lunch time walk doesn't cut it and work schedule may inhibit access to a gym. I had a membership in the business park there but couldn't take the time to take advantage of it, not once in the year I had it.

When it happens, optimally, you're 20 feet from desk to gym.

At the moment, the gym is just across the street from the office, but that's still pretty quick. It's one of the reasons I work out there.