It's Never Too Late to Start SuperSlow
By Denise Morton

Manager, Partner CWSS

We're often asked if "older" people can do high intensity strength training like SuperSlow and our answer is always yes! Now new research shows that a late start on exercise pays an even bigger dividend.

In a recent study of 2,205 Swedish men who began exercising after age 50 and followed for more than 20 years, researchers found their death rates were lower than their sedentary counterparts.  The impact on mortality risk of starting to exercise after age 50 was similar to that of quitting smoking, according to the Tuffs University Health and Nutrition Letter which reported these results.

An earlier study reported in 2003 in the Tuffs newsletter found that high intensity training, specifically, was needed for aging adults.  Why? Previous studies  that showed poor results were based on the fear that pushing older people too hard would be bad for them.  Researchers found the participants in controlled groups weren't using the right exercise intensity, according to Dr. William Evans, Ph.D. at the University of Arkansas for Medical Studies, who reported that the muscles weren't being stimulated to grow if the weights were too light.  In this study, with men ranging in age from 60-72 who lifted leg weights close to maximum capacity, researchers found that they not only completed their regimen safely, they more than doubled their leg strength in just 12 weeks of training with high intensity.

The good news is muscle loss that leads to frailty in old age is not inevitable.  Adults 50 years and older, safely using high intensity workouts - like SuperSlow - prevent muscle loss and stay strong and fit as they age.  Perhaps there is a fountain of youth after all.