Smashing Stereotypes Vigorous Exercise is the Fountain of Youth
There is a common ageist belief that rapid physical decline is a normal part of aging and we’re all destined to become weak and frail in old age. This is a damaging myth that athletes in The National Senior Games are rapidly disproving. It’s not a given that we’ll inevitably lose flexibility, muscle mass, bone density and cardiovascular fitness as we age. There is mounting evidence that performance loss is mainly due to an inactive lifestyle, not biological aging. In many cases we can get faster, stronger and more flexible as we age. The deciding factor is regular exercise.
Roy Englert Roy Englert continues to set new records in the sport of running. One of the oldest competitors at the 2022 National Senior Games, Roy is one of just two athletes to have participated in every national event. He never considered himself athletic until he decided to enter his first competition at age 60. That was 40 years ago. He prefers distance events, saying he isn’t much of a sprinter, and over the years he has broken several world age group records. Since he will turn 100 in September, he is now competing in the 100 – 104 age group.
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“When I entered my first games everybody wondered what in the world I was doing. Even my mother said, ‘you’re too old to run,’ and that was 40 years ago. I’ll be 100 soon but to me it doesn’t feel any different. You have to keep moving, keep going as far as you can, that’s what I do. And you don’t have to like it. I don’t like running, but I really like finishing!”
Lindsay Tise The oldest competitor at the 2022 National Senior Games was 103-year-old Lindsay Tise. He was the only golfer in the 100+ age group, shooting rounds of 58, 58, and 61 at Country Club of Coral Springs. Although he won the gold medal just by showing up, don’t let Tise’s age fool you, he shoots a score lower than his age almost every time he tees it up. Tise plays fast, still maintains a solid swing speed and has a delicate touch around the greens. He believes the health benefits from playing golf have extended his life into his 100s.
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“I just enjoy being out with people, out in the open and I just enjoy playing. It’s helped to keep me going, helped to keep me healthy. As long as I can hold a stick, I don’t plan on quitting.”
