older couple riding bicycles

Comedian George Burns, who lived to be 100, often advised his audience to “Look to the future, because that’s where you’ll spend the rest of your life.”

Orthopaedic surgeons at UPMC Sports Medicine think that’s sound advice. Nothing is more natural than aging. Adults over 40 today are redefining what it means to age. They’re looking ahead and doing what it takes to stay fit and vital.

With just 30 minutes of daily exercise, you can minimize your risk for 35 common illnesses including high blood pressure, stroke, and diabetes.

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Staying Fit as You Age

As we enter our 40s and 50s, we’re just starting to hit our stride, with the potential for many years of wonderful living ahead of us. A well-balanced exercise plan is key to maintaining that quality of life as we grow older.

There’s no age or activity level to prevent any older adult from being active. In fact, studies of 90-year-old men doing resistance training on a daily basis showed improvements in their strength and functioning.

Getting Started

Starting and sticking with a fitness plan initially can be hard. The first step is to make exercise a part of your daily routine. Schedule it on your calendar, like an appointment. Don’t be a weekend warrior. Instead, try to maintain a moderate activity level throughout the week, and increase your exercise level gradually to reduce your chance of overuse or injury.

FACE the future with a balanced, total body workout designed to achieve maximum benefits while avoiding injury:

  • F — Flexibility with daily stretching exercises
  • A — Aerobic cardiovascular exercises every other day, using interval-style training
  • C — Carry a load (or strength train) to build and maintain muscles in your arms,
    legs, and core (stomach, back, and abdomen)
  • E — Equilibrium and balance through simple exercises like standing on one foot

Whenever possible, mix up activities like running, swimming, cycling, or rowing. Cross-training helps promote total fitness while reducing the chance for injury.

About Sports Medicine

An athletic lifestyle carries the potential for injury. Whether you’re an elite athlete or a weekend warrior, UPMC Sports Medicine can help. If you are looking to prevent, treat, or rehabilitate a sports injury, our multidisciplinary team of experts can help you get back into the game. If you are seeking to improve your athletic performance, we can work with you to meet your goals. We serve athletes and active people of all ages and experience levels. Our goal is to help you keep doing what you love. Visit our website to find a specialist near you.