Japanese mountaineer Tamae Watanabe, 73, set a world record last month, becoming the oldest woman to ascend Mount Everest. She broke her own record, set when she was 63.
Michael Joyner, a Mayo Clinic anesthesiologist and a specialist in exercise science told the media source: "My guess is that as more people 'age up' who have been active their whole lives and are really committed, we will see more interesting things from people in the 60-to-80 age range."
But why have so many older people let their physical lives atrophy? Joyner gave 4 answers.
1. Many people sit in front of a computer all day.
2. Twenty four percent of adults over 65 are totally inactive
3. Fewer than 40% meet the recommended exercise (150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking, or 75 minutes of vigorous activity, such as jogging or swimming.
4. Most of society is not pushing themselves hard enough.
Some scientists believe that exercise slows aging. Recent research shows aerobic activity is important for healthy cognitive function. And regular exercise eases the stiffness and pain of arthritis.
Effective exercise programs for assistive living and continuing care residences are a big help to cognitive and kinaesthetic funtioning of residents.