Fighting Frailty: Maintaining Muscle as You Age

You have an older person in your life, or perhaps you are an older person yourself and you need that push to start strength training. This is the episode for you—because today we’re talking with Ashley Gluchowski, Ph.D., one of the most enthusiastic evangelists on strength training around and the University of Salford exercise scientist who helps older adults get stronger, improve balance and reduce risk of falls.

In this episode we discuss:—The surprising activities of daily living that require strength as we get older—Why older adults should be doing strength training—The association between strength and decreased dementia risk—How to get over being intimidated by strength training—The long-term benefits of making exercise social —Tips on how older adults can stick with strength-building programs

Ashley is a clinical exercise physiologist and former student of Stu Phillips’ who has gone on to found Stronger At Home, a program designed to get older adults to start and stick with strength training (link below). She has years of experience working with older adults on how to start and stick with strength training—and in this episode, Stu and Marty interview her about what works (exercise classes), and what doesn’t (patronizing trainers).

According to Ashley, “the short-term benefits of becoming stronger and more active include better glucose regulation, improved mood, increased energy, and better sleep.” The stereotype is that strength training is just for young people. But older people fighting sarcopenia are the ones who will most benefit from strength training most of all!

Send us ideas for future episodes, comments and listener questions at realexercisescience@gmail.com

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EPISODE LINKS

Dr. Ashley Gluchowski on instagram @drashleygstrongerwithage

Dr. Ashley Gluchowski’s website strongerahome.com

The Antifrail paper that Stu and Ashley wrote