Physiological Peak Capacity

“Most research tends to place the potential for individual physiological peak capacity somewhere in the mid-to-late 30s, at which time “normal aging” begins. After peak, a steady, linear decline of 1%–1.5% per year in various physiological functions progresses until the mid-to-late 60s. At this point, an exponential rate of decline begins, and each year can show a higher percentage of decline over the previous year. At these rates, untrained sedentary individuals at age 70 might expect to have 50%–65% of their 35-year-old capacity” (Lavin et al. 2019).

YIKES!! But read on: “What is most emphasized in current research on aging is that exercise may be unsurpassed in its ability to improve many—if not most—of the adverse health outcomes of aging that are due to lifestyle (Harridge & Lazarus 2017; Lazarus & Harridge 2018; Zierath & Wallberg-Henriksson 2015)

In other words, “use it or lose it” is real. However, “No pain, no gain” is not, at least not in my classes. From the perspective of energy-cultivation, we’ll incorporate breath, intention, and relaxation and above all, be mindful of the balance between effort and awareness. After all, it makes sense to address strength training from the energy cultivation point of view, since the muscle and joint strengthening process requires energy but also produces energy.

Want to learn more about how I teach? Check out the Video Tips on my website: www.criscaivano.com

Want to learn more about how I teach strength training?? Buy my book Strength Training, Staying Fit and Fabulous (Dover, 2018). There’s a link right on the homepage at www.criscaivano.com. Available on Amazon.

Cris