Dr. Lazarus and Harridge from King's college in London have suggested that by observing the trajectory of decline in physiological parameters in highly trained athletes we are observing the diminution of function due solely to aging. In other words, there is no confounding issue of inactivity's effect of time related losses in function.
They talk about a "set point" for optimal exercise and a threshold of physical activity that is needed to age optimally and to thereby optimize the so called health span.Exercise above this hypothetical set point would increase a person's athletic performance but may not positively affect health.
This is reminiscent of Busse's 1969 concept of primary and secondary aging wherein such things as exercise ( I suppose the nebulous optimal amount) and eating right ( if we can ever figure out what that is exactly) would would minimize secondary aging but primary aging would trudge along unimpeded.
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