Why training for performance in old age is so important | Peter Attia & Stuart McGill

In this clip, Peter and Stuart discuss:

- The importance of natural stability in athletes
- How energy leakage predisposes you to injuries
- The importance of teaching everyone basic strength training
- And more

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About:

The Peter Attia Drive is a deep-dive podcast focusing on maximizing longevity, and all that goes into that from physical to cognitive to emotional health. With over 70 million episodes downloaded, it features topics including exercise, nutritional biochemistry, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, mental health, and much more.

Peter Attia is the founder of Early Medical, a medical practice that applies the principles of Medicine 3.0 to patients with the goal of lengthening their lifespan and simultaneously improving their healthspan.

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[workout]

Stuart McGill has the brilliance to communicate complex concepts in such simple humble and direct language. He's a National Treasure.

[ashberger]

At 71 I've been cycling for the past 3 years to improve my mental health and discovered my physical health has improved dramatically to a level where I'm thinking of training for the World Masters Games in Taipei 2025 and in my hometown of Perth Western Australia in 2029. Thanks for the encouragement and this video has given my life purpose for the next 5 years.. Cheers to all.

[jaapongeveer]

I'm 71, started weightlifting at age 15 and continue to this day. It is the best decision I've made in my life. For years in my town it was hard to keep one gym open. Now, there are any number to pick from so the tide is turning and I see a lot of young people every time I'm at the gym.

[mey]

I am 71 and I started physical therapy last August to deal with my loss of strength and balance. Today I do two 20 minute high intensity circuits a week plus strength training the other 5 days. I hadn’t lost my balance or fallen prior to PT, but I could feel that I was weaker and my balance was not good. My physical therapist told me strength and balance go together; as one improves, the other one will also improve. I will not go gently into the night…

[wesleyhubka]

Dr. McGill is truly a wonderful person. Very sincere about improving the health of our entire population. A true exemplar of empathy. I had my first severe disc herniation / discectomy in 2014. Stu was gracious enough to engage me via email & telephone, to direct me towards improved spine health. I turned 70 last July ( 2023 ), I am living pain free, able to return to lifting, with strict, correct technique.
W. Hubka, M.D.

[Grandpa_Boxer]

I am 73 and took up boxing at 68 as an "amateur master boxer"-- I'm fighting my third fight in Las Vegas in a couple of weeks. Key in my opinion; MOTIVATION. Having a serious goal like working toward a boxing match, completely motivates me seven days a week to workout hard and smart and to care about my diet.

[mikew]

Dr Peter, Ii would great to have a video of the most optimal & effective strength & balance exercise routine for us seniors. Something that isn’t too daunting and can be scaled.

[carlaharder]

I adore the intellect and compassion of Stuart McGill.

[markbackeris]

Wow, worlds are colliding. Dr. McGill's The Back Mechanic is the number one piece to regaining my function after herniating a disc 4 years ago. I share his big 3 with every patient I encounter with similar issues and have shared the book with not just patients but my family too. My colleagues at work hear me spout Dr. Attia's and Dr. McGill's core tenants to patients like a broken record. Thanks to both of you gentlemen, many who desire a functional and healthy life span are gaining the tools to achieve them. Words can't express my appreciation for both of your work!

[stevenkasower]

Thank you Peter and Stuart for a most erudite discussion. Your key message from my perspective is the one lesson I too take from my 45+ years of exercise (running, aerobics, weight training). The competitive performance is NOT the key. The actual form, the biomechanics of these various exercises or "movements" provides the optimum benefit over time. Here I am at nearly 75 years old and thankfully having little physical damage from youthful activities (I was never "athletic") I now awaken each day pain free and feeling fine (feeling "older" but not feeling disabled from that aging). Thank you again gentlemen, a most important message indeed. We can't reverse aging but we do not need to surrender to the nonsense of "old personhood disabilities."

[upupandaway]

This is lovely .I'm 64 and still weight lift stretch and walk .there's always another hill to climb 😊

[joanfrisinabowles]

Awesome.. and soooo true. My l00 year old MOM is using many of these techniques and she's doing great! PT and exercise and *training*.. for strength and stability is soooo crucial for EVERYONE. It should be part of a program for everyone.

[CharlesMurphree-iusi]

People hate hearing this, but yoga is very beneficial to everything: stability, balance, posture, breathing, strength, movement, mobility. I often tell people, walk a lot, especially in nature, and practice yoga.

[tammyfreijy]

This is what is missing in our midlife population!!! I am definitely going to pass this on as a RN/educator/200hr RYT yoga teacher. Thank you so much

[TrishCanyon]

I run an exercise class in my senior building. My goal is to strengthen their legs so they dont end up in a nursing home or fall. Great info.

[joananna]

Thank you for the demonstration I was having lower back problems today and this helped tremendously.

[csstudio]

Thank you for this super interesting discussion. I loved the story that Stuart told. Over the last several years I started my keto/carnivore journey. I lost 50 lbs and many injuries from my younger years when I did many sports, have healed. I'm amazed how this way of eating has turned my life around. Recently, at 65 yrs old I started working out again like I did in my 30’s. I realized that even after a 20 year gap of serious exercise, I am still benefiting from knowing how to move. In my younger years I did karate, dance, tennis, horseback riding, ran track, step aerobics, and weight training. Now it's just important to build muscle and maintain coordination and core strength, and not get injured. Participating in a variety of types of exercise is beneficial. Currently, I've been taking Body Pump ( cardio with light weights), Pilates which is great for core and walking a lot ( recently added a weighted vest). Noone needs to accept the frail senior lifestyle. There is so much that can be done to avoid this. The foundation of improving my nutrition is what enabled the exercise. I think that is key for everyone.

[GreyBeard_Fit]

Dr. McGill is like the MacGyver of functional movement.

I could listen to him speak all day.

[ForTehNguyen]

this kinda makes me furious thinking about how many elderly these "therapists" told to go doom the rest of their lives in an assisted living home and couldve instead taught them extremely basic stability and posture techniques. What kind of therapist are they?

[carolined]

In July I started resistance training, what a life changer.