Unlike modern day demigods Kevin Levrone or Dexter Jackson, two iconic bodybuilders whose careers have spanned decades, we mere mortals endure a comparably sharp physical decline as our training careers tick into the swan song that is written by Father Time.
The physiological changes that typically accompany aging are abundant. Decreases in maximum strength, power, and rate of force development and reductions in cardiovascular, respiratory, and metabolic functioning occur as time ticks on.
Aging is also associated with changes in body composition, which includes a decline in lean mass and an accompanying increase in percentage of body fat.
As expected, the older athlete becomes less capable of a vintage performance of their physical prime. Instead, the consequences of biological aging surmount all physical capacities and predictably threaten an athlete’s will; that is, of course, if injuries don’t emerge sooner.
However, incorporating these five simple tips can go a long way in helping aging athletes extend their careers and thus, foil Father Time.
SEE ALSO: How Getting Older Affects Your Training