Aging is often associated with a loss of function as a person becomes old and "decrepit". However, contrary to western social belief getting older it is a normal natural process of the human life cycle. The idea of aging needs to be elevated with a mature healthy perspective. It is important to understand that process of aging does not have to be thought of as undesirable. Aging should be appreciated even welcomed as a chance to make permenant lifestyle changes, improve and grow into "the best next" version of ones self. As we age normal physiological functions of the body become less efficient and effective. The process of aging causes changes with metabolic functions that controls the heart contraction and contractual rate.1 This in turn leads to the decline in peak performance(maximum heart rate). When looking at the cardiopulmonary system these are the normal aging changes that can be expected as seen in the chart below. Moreover a persons lifestyle can and will be effected with these changes.1
Aerobic & Cardiopulmonary Changes with Aging
| Change 1 | Effect |
| ↓ Vascular elasticity | ↑ Blood Pressure |
| ↑ Left ventricular hypertrophy | ↓ Ventricle compliance |
| ↓ Adrenergic Responsiveness | ↓ exercise heart rate |
| ↓ Rate of calcium pumped by the sarcoplasmic reticulum | Prolonged time for cardiac muscle relation |
| Prolonged time to peak force cardiac muscle | Prolonged contraction time of cardiac muscle |
| ↓ Cardiac muscle twitch force | ↓ in the velocity of cardiac muscle shortening |
| ↓ Rate of adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) | ↓ in the velocity of cardiac muscle shortening |
| ↓ Myosin adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity | ↓ in the velocity of cardiac muscle shortening |
| Diastolic dysfunction | impaired ventricular filling, the potential to ↑ cardiac preload, and congestive heart failure |
| Decreased lean body mass | ↓muscle strength and peak oxygen consumption |
** ↑ Increase, ↓ Decrease
The changes above should be represented with a gradual decline over time; however, for sedentary adults, the experience may be more immediate and have potentially debilitating effects. Physical exercise is a person’s number one self-treatment in the prevention of many co-morbidities associated with aging (heart attack, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc). Physical activity is the best holistic approach to healing compared to more medically invasive procedures. It aims to empower the individual to take accountability for self-wellness giving them the tools to manage their own care.
Who says we cannot get better as we age?
Being physically active does not guarantee a perfect health chart, but it’s a start to drastically reducing risk while preparing the body to recover better if it’s been injured or an aliment does occur. It is extremely important that the body is challenged consistently with regular bouts of strength and aerobic activities. Choosing to do nothing about the outcome of self-health is irresponsible and the reason aging can be so disabling. It is like neglecting the keep up your house, eventually, things are going to break down and fall apart. My advice is don’t wait until the pipes burst to begin caring about your health. Be proactive and remember to always receive qualified professional service.
- Hillegass EA. Essentials of Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2017.