Practically everyone accepts that adults inevitably become frail as they age. They walk more slowly, become weaker and struggle with everyday activities. This is just a normal part of growing older, according to conventional wisdom, as if aging were a one-way street of physical decline.
But this is a misconception. A growing body of research shows that improvements in cognitive and physical function are possible with age. In fact, a fascinating new study demonstrates that a structured program of vigorous walking can do more than just slow the progression of frailty; it can reverse it.
After 16 weeks, nearly 70 percent of participants in the high-intensity group became less frail, as assessed using the same measures of strength, activity and general health as at the start of the study. While there was also improvement in the casual walking group, the risk of frailty was nearly three times lower for those encouraged to walk at the faster pace.
Her overriding message is not to treat age alone as a limitation. “People in their 80s and even 90s have the capacity to get stronger, to move better and potentially reverse frailty,” Danilovich said. This is a hopeful — and evidence-based — insight that could help more people live better for longer.
