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THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING GOALS TO PHYSICAL FUNCTION; LIFE PURPOSE AND WALKING SPEED IN ADULTS OVER 50. Scientists studying the association between having a sense of purpose in life and certain measures of physical function have shown that this “modifiable factor” can help decrease the chances of developing a slowed walking speed and to a lesser extent, weaker grip strength, in older adults.
The research team, from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, wanted to use objective measures to test previous work that linked having a life purpose “with a range of positive health behaviors and biological processes that are potentially protective against declining physical function”. Data was collected from research participants at two time points, 2006 and 2010, in a national study “representative of US adults older than 50 years” and analyzed in late 2016 to mid 2017. In 2006 subjects were interviewed face-to-face, given physical function assessment tests, and then asked to fill out and mail a self-report psychological questionnaire. In 2010 subjects had physical function measured again. The FIRST baseline measurement, that determined physical function was ADEQUATE, included 4486 subjects (2665 women and 1821 men, mean age ~64 years) whose grip strength was tested, 2 times in each hand, using a hand-held dynamometer. As part of the same study effort walking pace over a distance of 2.5 miles was assessed twice in 1461 persons (801 women and 660 men, mean age ~71 years). Results indicated that for each step upward in persons who expressed a higher life purpose (1 standard deviation greater) in 2006, there was less risk of developing slowed walking (14%) and a weaker grip (13%) from the first baseline physical function assessment to the second in 2010, about 4 years later. These findings took into account differences in sociodemographic factors between subjects like age, sex, race/ethnicity, marital status, education level, and total wealth. As with all research, the study has limitations. There may be unrecognized factors related to a having a higher sense of purpose in life that are what’s actually helping to prevent decreases in grip strength and walking speed. There’s a possibility that better physical function leads to having a higher sense of life purpose, although the scientific team tried to detect but did not identify this situation. The follow-up period was only a short 4 years. The great news coming from this work seems to be that a ‘therapy’, which may prevent disheartening age-related decreases in physical function, is without obvious side effects and is a behavior that can be developed! Setting reasonable goals and committing to achieving them is what Earned Runs is all about! Take advantage of the excitement of the new FALL SEASON and start planning now. Free professional Tyvek bibs are given on request to use for identifying challenges, charting progress, and recording accomplishments. You don’t need to wait for an organized event to be created to pursue a goal; you can custom design a personal effort. Each season there are numerous possibilities, not necessarily confined to racing competitions. Fitness goals can be scaled down into manageable components and sequentially tackled such that progress will be recognized in relatively short time periods. These can be ‘streaks’ in which certain workouts are performed, sessions at a fitness center/gym are completed, or walking/running/cycling distances are covered. Following a race training plan can incorporate several types of fitness work that incrementally increases the effort required. To realize major life aspirations, many years of steadfast work may be needed with scarce evidence of progress. Fitness goals can be reached more quickly and easily! Contact Earned Runs to receive help determining a reachable goal that will surely involve perseverance and effort (“always earned, never given”) but that will lead to a sense of accomplishment when achieved. Post a comment on the BLOG or on the Facebook page and ask others for assistance. You are not alone in wanting to improve your physical self in ways that need not involve a quest for the public’s definition of ‘beauty’. Balance is beautiful. Strength is powerful. Mobility is youthful. Walking ability is wonderful. Consider practicing now to find purpose in life by regularly and continuously setting small personal fitness goals. Scientific evidence suggests doing so can help maintain some physical functions that in turn may maintain or improve other functions. Surely there are greater goals that serve mankind than trying to be fit; perhaps you’ll gain confidence to take on these other bigger tasks! RUN HAPPY! “Association Between Purpose in Life and Objective Measures of Physical Function in Older Adults”. ES Kim PhD, I Kawachi MD, PhD; Y Chen ScD; LD Kubzansky PhD. http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2648692http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2648692
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BRIDGE TO PHYSICAL SELF
Running, walking, and fitness activities enable us to experience our physical selves in a world mostly accessed through use of fingers on a mobile device. AuthorEARNED RUNS is edited and authored by me, runner and founder. In 1978 I began participating in 10K road races before 5Ks were common. I've been a dietitian, practiced and taught clinical pathology, and been involved with research that utilized pathology. I am fascinated with understanding the origins of disease as well as health and longevity. Archives
November 2023
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