Exercise as a countermeasure to human ageing

In less than 200 years, life expectancy in the United Kingdom has doubled from ~40 to ~80 years, a trend mirrored in most developed and now developing countries. The healthogenic effects of staying active across the lifespan are widely promoted, yet only 36% of men and 18% of women >75 years of age in England achieve the physical activity guidelines of 150 min/wk. Reduced functional ability as we age is caused by a natural weakening of physiological systems, exacerbated by physical inactivity. This talk will discuss benefits of, and barriers to, physical activity and exercise in older cohorts, with a focus on resistance training