Age and physical functioning

Abstract

Over the life span, the human body increasingly functions less efficiently. Skin wrinkles and sags; hair thins and turns grey; muscle mass and strength are more difficult to maintain; joints deteriorate; aerobic capacity and cardiac output decrease; the immune system becomes less responsive; visual and auditory acuity decline – and this is just a partial list. Faced with these changes, it is not surprising that many people dread growing old because they believe ageing portends losses in functional capacities and the enjoyable aspects of life. This chapter highlights the demographic realities of an ageing population, debunks some of the myths about age and physical functioning and summarizes research on the factors that promote successful ageing. There is no doubt that the population of many western countries is ‘greying’. Average life expectancy in the US in 1900 was 47 years; today, it is closer to 76 years. Over two-thirds of people now live to at least age 65 (a three-fold increase from 1900). Furthermore, the fastest growing segment of the population is in the category over age 85 – 4% in 1900 to more than 10% today (e.g. US Department of Health and Human Services [DHHS], 1992; Volz, 2000).

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