When we’re kids, all the running, climbing and falling we do helps develop coordination and balance, longevity expert Bill Hanks explains, and when we stop doing those things as adults, our motor skills naturally decline. But he says it’s possible to slow this deterioration down, as “those who continue to challenge their bodies in consistent ways will maintain sharper balance and motion as they age.”
Dr. Matt Kaeberlein, another longevity expert, says the age-related decline in motor functions - strength, coordination, balance and agility - isn’t just about muscles getting weaker. “Nerves that carry signals to those muscles become less efficient, joints lose flexibility and our sensory systems all show wear and tear,” he explains. “Together, these changes can make reaction times slower and stumbles more likely.”
Genetics play a role in how we age physically, but lifestyle habits do, too. Curious how your body is doing at this point in life? These simple challenges reveal how well your body is aging, according to longevity experts.
- Grip strength test - “Research has shown grip strength to be a strong correlate to overall vitality, independence, and even longevity,” Hanks says. Test yours by firmly gripping a jar lid and seeing how quickly you can twist it off.
- One-leg balance (with a twist) - Balance is one of the best predictors of fall risk as we get older, according to Hanks. Check yours by standing on one leg for at least one minute and test how long you can last. Bonus points if you can multitask while doing it, like putting on a shoe.
- Test muscle strength - Muscle mass naturally declines with age and that can affect strength and long-term health. Find out how you're doing at this point by lifting a few weights, starting light, like one-pound, then try heavier weights to see how you do.
- Dual-task walking test - “How well your brain and body work together is a strong marker of healthy aging,” Hanks says. Test yours by walking and doing more than one thing, like reciting the alphabet, talking to a friend or counting backwards. If you slow down significantly, it can signal early cognitive or motor decline.
Source: Real Simple