It seems that we tend toward specific things.
Newton’s first law seems to hold true in many areas, even outside of physics:
An object at rest remains at rest and a object in motion remains in motion, unless acted on by a force.
As Wife and I are trying to work outside more and improve strength and endurance, we are finding this is true about people also.
We can’t do what we used to, but I’m not convinced this is due to age. I believe it is due to lack of use.
So, a tale of two brothers.
At a recent party, I saw two brothers, aged 67 and 65. Both grew up similarly active until their early 20s, but sometime in the following years things drastically changed.
At the party, 67 had a walker and slowly entered (and later exited) the room. 65 walked briskly of his own accord and easily entered and exited conversations. When not entering or exiting, 67 sat at a table and spoke only with those who noticed him.
At his prime, 67 was a tall man, with the walker at the party, he topped only 7 inches shorter than his peak. 65 still appeared as tall as he ever was.
So the outcome suggests much had changed between the two men. What was it?
Along the way 67 had several surgeries and blood clots in his legs. These things might have a genetic component that 65 didn’t get, and they would certainly contribute to slow, hunched movement. But are they enough? Are these causes? Or symptoms of something else?
65 never sat at a desk for a day of work ever. He worked construction, lifting materials up and down staircases, moving, dragging, bending, and flexing.
67 spent at least the last 20 years at a desk. It may have been more.
This is clearly all observational and anecdotal.
But 67 was an object at rest. 65 was an object in motion. It still appears to be true.
And it seriously scares me into making sure I spend much of every day moving.