How To Defy The Fitness Age Barrier

Does reaching certain age milestones significantly and disproportionately limit your physical capabilities? Is it possible to defy ageing and stay fit as you get older? Or are we just more likely to allow doubt and a ‘glass ceiling’ limit our ability the older we get?

‘Don’t let those who haven’t tell you that you can’t.’

Must Athleticism Decrease With Age?

Everywhere we look, we see literature that tells us our athletic ability diminishes with age (after a peak between 20-35ish) depending on the sport or discipline. The media seems to keen to brainwash us that staying fit is considerably more difficult.

We hear constant commentary on how ‘elite athletes or sportspeople’ are past their best and reaching retirement age (whatever that is? – Jo Pavey?). But every now and again, someone in their ‘twilight years’ wins something. When they do, the media goes crazy. Amazed at such an improbable feat.

Age related ‘Handicapping’

In many sports there are even age related handicapping systems. Like Age Group Triathlons for instance. These have been designed to help compare athletes who are ‘past their peak’, against those in their ‘prime’. Trying to create a level playing field so those who are getting older can compare themselves with younger counterparts. Such measures, whilst having certain value, further consolidate our belief that we can forget about improving our fitness as we get older. 

And the raw data tends to confirm this theory. Performances wane and improvements become more scarce as the passage of time rolls inevitably on.

Bucking The Trend

But some (a limited few) buck this trend. They show improvement long after their supposed optimum athletic age. Is there something different about their bodies? Something special about their genetics? Perhaps.

Hearts & Minds

I rather suspect the biggest difference is within their hearts and minds. That these few have shrugged off the dogma of ageing and dare to believe that they can continue to improve despite their advancing years. The increased self-belief results in continued commitment and dedication to training. Almost akin to the underdog mentality. Something that may well have otherwise fallen by the wayside. 

A Self-imposed Ceiling

Those who believe that age limits them, will naturally (if only subconsciously) begin to ease down. They will drop the more intense training sessions to protect against injury. They may even give in to temptations and poor dietary choices. Because, in their minds, they are too old to progress: so why bother trying? And thus, they shape their own downfall, and are inescapably destined to regression and decline. Their belief (or lack of it) becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. They accept mediocrity.

Summary

So, do the majority slow down as they age because age itself is slowing them down? Or do the majority slow down disproportionately as they age because they have lost self-belief?

I believe the latter holds more of an explanation than many would imagine.

Don’t let those who haven’t tell you that you can’t. If you want to remain as fit as you can as you age, do not submit to the brainwashing. If you want to continue to aim high and continue pursuing your potential, refuse to believe that age is an unsurpassable boundary.

Be TrueSapien. Reject Mediocrity.