let's talk fitness

[Luap McKeever]

I exercise at least 1 hour per day, but really try for 2 a day and get my 2 a day goal probably 3 times per week.  Weights, treadmill and elliptical are my routine during wintertime, but spring through fall I rotate in 15 mile bike rides too.  On weekends, I do yard work at a faster pace.

I've always been kind of active in nature.  Can't sit still for too long if I can help it.

[Cool Runnings]

Heart Risk? Marathoners Have Increased Artery Plaque

Who do you think would have more artery clogging in the heart: (A) a group of sedentary, overweight men; or (B) a group of men who are slightly older, much leaner, and have run at least one marathon annually for 25 years?

If you picked (A), you would be wrong, at least according to a new report in the March/April 2014 issue of Missouri Medicine. Its supporters believe the new study adds weight to the “excessive endurance exercise hypothesis,” which posits that too much exercise, like marathon training and racing, has negative effects on the heart.


http://www.runnersworld.com/newswire/heart-risk-marathoners-have-larger-plaques-in-arteries

[Cool Runnings]

Elite athlete Steve Larsen dies

Elite triathlete and former national mountain bike champion Steve Larsen died of a sudden heart attack while running at Cascade Middle School on Tuesday night.

Larsen, who was 39 and lived in Bend, was with a group of about 40 people who regularly run together when he collapsed. Other runners performed CPR on him and called 911. Paramedics arrived and transported Larsen to St. Charles Bend.


http://www.bendbulletin.com/news/1465152-151/elite-athlete-steve-larsen-dies

[Randown]

Heart Risk? Marathoners Have Increased Artery Plaque

Who do you think would have more artery clogging in the heart: (A) a group of sedentary, overweight men; or (B) a group of men who are slightly older, much leaner, and have run at least one marathon annually for 25 years?

If you picked (A), you would be wrong, at least according to a new report in the March/April 2014 issue of Missouri Medicine. Its supporters believe the new study adds weight to the �excessive endurance exercise hypothesis,� which posits that too much exercise, like marathon training and racing, has negative effects on the heart.


http://www.runnersworld.com/newswire/heart-risk-marathoners-have-larger-plaques-in-arteries

The marathoners had significantly lower weight, BMI, hypertension, lipids, diabetes, and resting heart rates. In fact, none of the 50 marathoners had diabetes vs. 17 percent of the sedentary men. The marathoners also had significantly higher HDL cholesterol levels...

Coauthor William Roberts, who's also medical director of the Twin Cities Marathon, notes: "When the sedentary group starts shoveling snow or racing after a bus, they're going to be at much higher risk than the runners. We don't see marathon runners dropping dead on a regular basis at Twin Cities. I'd rather be a marathoner than one of the sedentary guys."

The marathoners in the Schwartz et al study included a surprising number of former or current smokers, 52 percent vs. 39 percent among the controls. Since smoking is known to influence heart and other health outcomes, this could confound the results of the study.

Additionally, as with all observational studies, there is always the chicken and egg question. Runners might call it the Jim Fixx dilemma. Did Fixx die of a heart attack while running because he liked to log 10 miles a day and run marathons? Was he excessive? Or did he die because he was an overweight smoker for many years before he changed his habits?

...the bulk of data still suggests that you're better off running than not running," says Boston Marathon cardiologist Aaron Baggish, co-author of the RACER (Race Associated Cardiac Arrest Event Registry) that concluded, "Marathons and half-marathons are associated with a low overall risk of cardiac arrest and sudden death." Baggish adds: "I'd never suggest that anyone needs to log 26.2 miles regularly to maximize their health, but we have no reason to believe there is any danger in doing so."

...we know that running and occasional marathoning is healthy for the vast majority...

[pmillar]

I have always been active and dabbled in many sports over the years (loved beach volleyball in my socal years) but mostly I credit a relatively healthy lifestyle combination of eating (whole grains, low fat by typical American standards) and just moving. Lots of walks over the years (dogs help there), some running (time efficient), moderate weight lifting, some mountain biking (love it but don't do enough) and light weights. Fun things (frisbee) that get you moving are great.

Also, I look at lawn mowing and snow shoveling as getting paid to get exercise since I'm not paying someone else to do it. Sometimes it sucks, but it is exercise.

Working from home is a mixed blessing. I have a desk job but get bored and move around a lot, chase the dog (really) and sometimes go for a run at lunch. I have found after turning 50 that it takes more work just to maintain fitness from both a diet and exercise standpoint. Fortunately, PT has my shoulder functional again so I can work with weights again. My current worry is losing muscle mass. Oh, and insomnia/depression but that's a different matter. Exercise helps there as well but not quite enough.

In the meantime, lifestyle choices help. Take stairs when you can (especially when traveling) and just keep moving. My cousin (upper 50's) just had a heart attack yesterday and is scheduled for surgery to deal with clogged arteries. He was active in his younger years but become overweight and inactive over the past 20 years. You can't change the genetic cards you're dealt, but you can certainly play them wisely to tip things in your favor. 

[Cool Runnings]

The marathoners had significantly lower weight, BMI, hypertension, lipids, diabetes, and resting heart rates. In fact, none of the 50 marathoners had diabetes vs. 17 percent of the sedentary men. The marathoners also had significantly higher HDL cholesterol levels...

Coauthor William Roberts, who's also medical director of the Twin Cities Marathon, notes: "When the sedentary group starts shoveling snow or racing after a bus, they're going to be at much higher risk than the runners. We don't see marathon runners dropping dead on a regular basis at Twin Cities. I'd rather be a marathoner than one of the sedentary guys."

The marathoners in the Schwartz et al study included a surprising number of former or current smokers, 52 percent vs. 39 percent among the controls. Since smoking is known to influence heart and other health outcomes, this could confound the results of the study.

Additionally, as with all observational studies, there is always the chicken and egg question. Runners might call it the Jim Fixx dilemma. Did Fixx die of a heart attack while running because he liked to log 10 miles a day and run marathons? Was he excessive? Or did he die because he was an overweight smoker for many years before he changed his habits?

...the bulk of data still suggests that you're better off running than not running," says Boston Marathon cardiologist Aaron Baggish, co-author of the RACER (Race Associated Cardiac Arrest Event Registry) that concluded, "Marathons and half-marathons are associated with a low overall risk of cardiac arrest and sudden death." Baggish adds: "I'd never suggest that anyone needs to log 26.2 miles regularly to maximize their health, but we have no reason to believe there is any danger in doing so."

...we know that running and occasional marathoning is healthy for the vast majority...

High prevalence of atrial fibrillation found among cross-country skiers

At this year's Birkebeiner ski marathon, 12,000 cross-country skiers will line up for the 54 kilometer race, run almost every year since 1932. In 1976 almost 150 participants were invited to take part in a long-term study designed to discover the extent of latent heart disease in these elite cross-country skiers. Now, the results of the follow-up study have been published and suggest that long-distance competition skiers are at an unusually high risk of atrial fibrillation.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100209200756.htm

[HardAspie]

Just went out and pedaled about six miles. Not far, but improving after recent injuries. Feeling okay too. Bicycling is good for my soul.

[segesta]

I lift weights according to Mark Rippetoe's "Starting Strength". I'm not a hard core weightlifter, and I certainly don't look it, but as I get older I realize that endurance (ie 'cardio') isn't what matters, but muscle mass/strength is what matters. If you need to lift a heavy carry-on into the overhead bin, or push a bike around the garage, or fall in the shower, you need to be strong to recover.

OTOH, anything that gets you off the couch is a good thing!

[lucydad]

Tom,

Great topic!  Poodles walk me every day:  fast and usually about 1.5 to 2 miles.  Bicycle rides about 2-3 times a week (average 7-12 miles) are my other main workout--great cardio and core.  I try to make it to the gym once a week to lift weights, do core exercises and stretch out. 

Benefits are obvious when going through a house move like we are now conducting.  There is a lot of lifting, scurrying about, long days and such involved:  stamina is required.  I am doing ok, and we are through the worst part. 

Mental and emotional health is uplifted by physical exercise routines.  Age mitigation for those of us in our sixties is really important. 

Retirement has been beneficial:  less stress, less junk food, and more time to exercise.  I have dropped about ten pounds, and I am still losing gradually. 

Our Colorado cabin is at 9300 feet.  To enjoy the mountains and deal with the altitude one must be in reasonable physical condition.  That is another motivator for me....

A downside of the bicycle rides:  increased allergy issues from our pollen/dust/mold filled Gulf Coast, TEXAS air.  Summer brings extreme heat and humidity, and my activity usually drops off for at least 4-5 months.  This year, however, I hope to spend a lot of the summer in Colorado, and not here.

cheers

[HardAspie]

I am reading all these posts and thinking there seems a major difference between Guzzi and Hoggley Donaldson demographics.

[Gliderjohn]

Quote from HardAspie:

I am reading all these posts and thinking there seems a major difference between Guzzi and Hoggley Donaldson demographics.

Well...maybe. If you look at attendees at Guzzi Rallies generally a wide spread (no pun intended) of body types are represented. I will say a few years back I had a motel room right on the main drag in Eureka Springs, AR. and there was some major H-D event that weekend. Sitting in front of my room watching the "parade" I now well understand why it is a positive thing that H-Ds have a lot of torque.
GliderJohn

[not-fishing]

Endurance Exercise � Is It Worth It?

How Much is Too Much? The two groups were examined at age 66 years, which for the cyclists was an average of 38 years from their last professional race (Tour de Suisse).

Been there done that, ain't going back!

Skewed "study", have you seen most "professional cyclists" when they get old?  They don't cut back on the calories.

[HardAspie]

Issat tha Michelin man?

[JeffOlson]

I have seen that picture before. If he is actually riding a bicycle, then more power to him! Even minor movement and activity is far better than none at all.

[K250]

A few weeks ago there was a thread about the pros and cons of posting under a real name.   One of the advantages of posting under a fake name is you can over share like I'm going to right now.  :)

Due to a rare and unexpected scheduling issue, found myself with the rest of the week off....

So I get to do one of the things that is time consuming but fun.  For many years I didn't work out a lot because I don't show results at all.   Nowadays the lack of results doesn't bother me anymore.

Right now I'm starting one my favorite days.  Sleep in until about 7:30.  Spend an hour having some coffee, a little breakfast and getting ready to go.  Hit the gym, go as berserk as a well into middle age guy can get on the weights for an hour, then an hour of cardio, spin, row, or elliptical, then hit the sauna for half an hour.  By the time I get home it will be noon.   Very time consuming, can't do it often.   But it's fun. 

[creaky99]

Best way for me.....stay off my butt and keep moving.

[blackbuell]

Was a mountain marathoner for many years; probably averaged 8-10 miles of running per day for 35 years. Wore out my parts; now have some chronic leg injuries that allow me to run only one or two days per week. However, I have a treadmill, an airdyne, and an elliptical machine in my basement: work out on the equipment about 10-12 hours per week while watching tube or listening to music (AC/DC and the Black Crows have recorded some great work out tunes).

Jon