- Taking care of our musculoskeletal health can help us stay strong and active as we age.
- Dr. Vonda Wright is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in healthy aging.
- She lifts heavy weights and does a weekly dance practice to age well.
A musculoskeletal doctor who specializes in healthy aging shared her weekly exercise routine that helps her maintain strength and mobility as she ages.
Dr. Vonda Wright, 57, is a Florida-based, dual-board certified orthopedic surgeon who helps elite athletes, including Olympians and World Rugby Sevens players, optimize their performance.
In our 30s and 40s, we naturally begin to lose muscle mass, which is essential to continue doing everyday movements, such as getting up from a chair. The process begins between the ages of 65 and 80.
It’s important to stay active to prevent weakened bones and muscles, and those who lead sedentary lives eventually lose strength and balance and start to fall or shuffle when they walk, Wright told Business Insider.
About 12% of American adults over age 50 have osteoporosis, and 43% have low bone mass, a precursor to osteoporosis, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. But exercise significantly lowers the risk, Wright said
“Musculoskeletal aging and healthy aging is a lifelong pursuit,” she said. “Just show up every day for yourself.”
The “critical decade” for people to start developing habits that will allow them to live healthy and active lives into old age is between the ages of 35 and 45, said Wright, author of “Fitness After 40.”
“70 to 80% of how we age is due to lifestyle choices,” Wright said.
With that in mind, she works out five to six days a week, including cardio and strength training.