Muscle Cars and Aging Seniors; What do they have in Common?

One of the greatest times in American automotive technology was the development of the muscle car in the 1960s. From Ford’s Mustang to Chevy Corvette, all of the major companies built cars that not only looked great, but could also really perform!

Over the next few years the most popular muscle cars will be turning 50 and the ones that have had regular oil changes and the scheduled factory maintenance are still functioning out on the streets. Just like regular maintenance extends the useful life of a car, exercise improves the function of many of the physiological systems responsible for good health.

The care required to ensure that a 50-year-old car can drive just as well now as when it first rolled off the factory floor is a fitting comparison for how exercise can be used to maintain good health and reduce the effects of the aging process.

A car is designed to be driven. The engine and systems that control the automobile are most effective when operated on a regular basis. If a car sits idle for too long, the vital fluids such as engine oil or brake fluid can settle, break down and not be able to do their jobs effectively the next time the car is driven.

The paint on a car left outside without proper protection will likely fade, tires will deteriorate and parts will start to rust. On the other hand, if a car is driven, stored properly and maintained, then it can provide many years of safe operation and enjoyment for its owners.

The physiological systems of the human body are similar to a car’s in that with the proper fuel (nutrition), maintenance and operation, it’s possible to have a long, healthy life full of enjoyable physical activity.

Just like a car left abandoned will fall apart over time, a person who is sedentary, makes poor nutritional choices and participates in risky lifestyle habits such as smoking or drinking too much alcohol could experience the effects of rapid aging and possibly a premature death.

The good news is that for most sedentary adults it is possible to adopt healthier lifestyle habits that can restore the body to good health even into the later years of life, just like a car can be rescued from the trash heap and restored to good working order.

Healthy behaviors such as regular physical activity, proper nutrition, hydration and effective sleep patterns are all recognized as effective means for reducing the risk of developing many chronic diseases that can occur during the aging process.

For more information call 796-5564.