The Miracles of Getting Older PDF

The Miracles of Getting Older PRESENTED BY: Bobbi-Jo Atchison MA, CSEP-CEP, ATRA Equality Fitness & Recreation Today… Discuss age related physiological changes in the body: Cardiovascular Sensory Musculoskeletal What is our role as people age: Individual En...

The Miracles of Getting Older PRESENTED BY: Bobbi-Jo Atchison MA, CSEP-CEP, ATRA Equality Fitness & Recreation Today… Discuss age related physiological changes in the body: Cardiovascular Sensory Musculoskeletal What is our role as people age: Individual Environment Task YOU KNOW YOUR OLD WHEN… Statistically Speaking… What are the physiological effects of aging: FACTS VS MYTHS Cardiovascular System  Cardiovascular: Structural Changes Thickening of the walls of the large arteries With age the internal layer (tunica intima) of the artery thickens and fragments – a process similar to what happens with early-stage atherosclerosis Increased stiffness of the large arteries, small arteries, and arterioles (less compliant) With age the regulation of vasodilation is impaired (vessels are less responsive to biochemical cues for dilation) Thickening of the walls of the left ventricle  Cardiovascular: Heart Function Heart Rate: @ rest = HR remains similar to young adults, with exercise = HR decreases 5-10 beats every decade Stroke Volume: @ rest = similar with exercise = Not as efficient as age increases due to multiple factors Cardiac Output: @ rest = no difference, with exercise = decreased VO2 Max: Declines about 1% each year after the age of 25!  Cardiopulmonary system – Structural Changes Reduction in alveolar surface area = less surface area for gas exchange to occur Loss of elastic recoil of the lungs = increase work required for respiration Increased chest wall stiffness = increase work required for respiration Decreased inspiratory muscle strength (e.g. diaphragm, intercostals) = increase work required for respiration Sensory Systems - BALANCE  Systems Contributing to Poor Balance Sensory (visual, somatosensory, vestibular) – brings in information about the state of the body in relation to the environment and task Visual: Reduced acuity, contrast sensitivity, depth perception, narrowing of visual field Somatosensory: decreased sensitivity to touch/pressure, less info transmitted to spinal cord and brain, up to 10x increase in vibration threshold Vestibular: provides information of where we are in space. By age 70, 40% loss of vestibular hair and nerves. Musculoskeletal Systems  Musculoskeletal Systems: Muscle Sarcopenia: Age-related loss of muscle mass 2% decrease in muscle mass each year after the age of 50 Why might this happen?  Underlying Mechanisms: Reduction in muscle fibre size (Type II – Fast Twitch) Reduction in # of muscle fibres Reduction in # motor units Altered hormones Altered diet Wroblewski et al., 2011 Bone Growth Across the Lifespan “A pediatric disease with geriatric consequences” www.osteoporosis.ca Musculoskeletal Systems: Bone How does this translate into practice? Functional Capacity: - Strength - VO2Max - Endurance - Balance - Range of Motion 25 35 45 55 65 75 85 THANK YOU email: [email protected] social: @equalityfitrec www.equalityfitness.com