Older riders: Has your strength/fitness gradually declined or in noticeable steps?

[PaulSB]

I've done lunges, squats, plank and stuff like that regularly for years. Probably 30 years or so (with a few gaps) I hate to think of the state I'd be in now if I hadn't.

Or maybe I've been wasting my time and I'm doomed.

Perhaps you simply have poor balance and there's no more to do? I've no idea.

I do know there are things which the vast majority do without thinking but for some it's very difficult or impossible. For example I can't float in water. Lay on my back, my feet drop and I go straight down. The only way I can stay afloat is kicking my feet. Weird.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Perhaps you simply have poor balance and there's no more to do? I've no idea.

I do know there are things which the vast majority do without thinking but for some it's very difficult or impossible. For example I can't float in water. Lay on my back, my feet drop and I go straight down. The only way I can stay afloat is kicking my feet. Weird.

Indeed, I've been clumsy and inflexible since I was a child. Also completely unathletic and utterly hopeless at any sport you care to name.

But that's no reason not keep trying with strength and flexibility for my general wellbeing and riding my bike for fun.

 

[Punkawallah]

Everyone’s different, but declining performance with advancing age is not to be unexpected.

 

[Moodyman]

Everyone’s different, but declining performance with advancing age is not to be unexpected.

True, but the rate of decline can be slowed.

 

[Jon George]

Everyone’s different, but declining performance with advancing age is not to be unexpected.

True, but my question was about how it happens, in general. I have a friend who's kept himself exceedingly fit throughout his life and he was saying recently that he's been reading about how decline was in 'steps', rather that a slope. I'm just intrigued as to whether that's an accurate observation.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

True, but my question was about how it happens, in general. I have a friend who's kept himself exceedingly fit throughout his life and he was saying recently that he's been reading about how decline was in 'steps', rather that a slope. I'm just intrigued as to whether that's an accurate observation.

He will be referring to the research that indicates there are three step changes in life. The danger lies in applying a population level study to your own circumstances. Particularly when we refer to “performance”. Unless you pushed your limits in your younger years, it’s not out the question to reach the same performance levels a decade or two later etc.

 

[Webbo2]

True, but my question was about how it happens, in general. I have a friend who's kept himself exceedingly fit throughout his life and he was saying recently that he's been reading about how decline was in 'steps', rather that a slope. I'm just intrigued as to whether that's an accurate observation.

As understand it’s more like it drops like you’ve fallen off a Cliff.🧗‍♀️😂😂

 

[matticus]

He will be referring to the research that indicates there are three step changes in life. The danger lies in applying a population level study to your own circumstances. Particularly when we refer to “performance”. Unless you pushed your limits in your younger years, it’s not out the question to reach the same performance levels a decade or two later etc.

Otherwise known as sandbagging (for athletes playing the long game).

 

[ColinJ]

Unless you pushed your limits in your younger years, it’s not out the question to reach the same performance levels a decade or two later etc.

I was thinking about exactly that the other day!

I am now clot-damaged and getting old, but... I was pretty lazy when I was younger so I never got close to my genetic potential. If I were to do enough training now, maybe I could get back to my best pre-clot level and then try to stay there for as long as possible?

If I could get fitter and then take 10-15 years to decline back to the fitness level that I have now, I would be very happy with that.

 

[Dogtrousers]

True, but my question was about how it happens, in general. I have a friend who's kept himself exceedingly fit throughout his life and he was saying recently that he's been reading about how decline was in 'steps', rather that a slope. I'm just intrigued as to whether that's an accurate observation.

I think for most/many individuals there are just too many confounding factors. Family commitments, illness, injury, motivation, lockdown disruption, work commitments and so on. Few people keep to a regime under constant conditions where they can reliably isolate changes due to age.

 

[Proto]

Gradual for me.
I'm in my 70's now and my riding is slower than it has been. I find hills more of a struggle than when I was younger but so far I have resisted the lure of an ebike but its possible for the future

C

Same here at 72 yo.

Hills around here (E Devon/W Dorset) are savage, every ride seems to be 1000m of climbing and I find it tough. Keep fitting lower and lower gearing to my bikes which just about keeps me in the game. I too have resisted the lure of an e-bike but it's only a matter of time.

 

[Jon George]

He will be referring to the research that indicates there are three step changes in life. The danger lies in applying a population level study to your own circumstances. Particularly when we refer to “performance”. Unless you pushed your limits in your younger years, it’s not out the question to reach the same performance levels a decade or two later etc.

Ah-ha! Thanks - with that information I've tracked down the research. Fascinating.

 

[Punkawallah]

Tease. The eraser h would be?

 

[Dogtrousers]

Otherwise known as sandbagging (for athletes playing the long game).

I may stop sandbagging next year. When I do everyone had better watch out!

On second thoughts, next year is getting a bit close. Maybe the year after.

 

[esoxlucius]

One thing's for sure though. We are all bemoaning out gradual deterioration in performance levels as we grow older, but compared to the vast majority of the population us cyclists are all still as fit as fiddles, regardless of age.

That fact is something we should all give ourselves a deserved pat on the back!