Introduction to the Centenarian Decathlon
Forget gold medals — this decathlon is all about your golden years. Speaking at the recent New York Times Well Festival, longevity expert Dr. Peter Attia made the case for an innovative approach to preparing for old age. Rather than focusing solely on lifespan — the number of years you are alive — Attia’s framework centers on health span — the period of life spent in good health.
Longevity expert Peter Attia speaking at The New York Times Well Festival. Getty Images for The New York Times
Understanding the Marginal Decade
He believes everyone has a “marginal decade,” meaning the last 10 years of your life. “You don’t really know the day you enter that marginal decade, but most people know it when they’re really into it,” he said. “The way to increase the probability of enjoying that decade as much as possible is to be very deliberate about how you would prepare for it,” Attia noted.
The Concept of Training for Old Age
As such, he advises “training” for old age in the same way that an athlete trains for a sport, with the knowledge that a soccer player and baseball player have very different workout regimens. He calls this approach a “centenarian decathlon” — joking that it is “neither a decathlon nor something exclusively for centenarians.”
Irina Zaretti celebrated her 100th birthday in 2020. Dennis A. Clark
The Centenarian Decathlon in Practice
What it does entail is making a list of 10 physical activities that you most want to be able to do — enjoyably — during your marginal decade and begin training for them now. For example, if you want to be able to play on the floor with your grandchildren — which he noted “sounds really easy,” but “it’s actually really hard to sit on the floor when you get into your 80s” — you should practice getting off the floor using only one arm for support. You should also dead lift 30 pounds so you can pick up a child, especially since muscle strength tends to decline with age.
Tailoring Your Training
If you want to be able to take your dog for a nice, long walk — aim to hit 10,000 steps a day now. If you want to be able to play on the floor with your grandchildren, you should practice getting off the floor using only one arm for support. Halfpoint – stock.adobe.com
If you’d like to still be able to travel internationally, try lifting a 20-pound suitcase and climbing 30 stairs without taking a breather. Big on cooking or swimming? Carry two heavy bags of groceries up several flights of stairs and practice getting out of a pool without a ladder. Everyone’s list is bound to be different — the key is to focus on what you value most and train accordingly.
Personalizing Your Decathlon
Bill Casey (right) and his twin brother Jack on their 100th birthday. McCarthy Stone / SWNS
For his part, Attia revealed that some of the items on his personal list include driving a race car, shooting a bow and arrow, playing with children, standing up on his own, and being able to walk with ease — including on uneven surfaces. He highlighted that some of these activities are easy to take for granted now — but, without training, there may come a time when they become incredibly difficult, if not outright impossible.
The Importance of Comprehensive Training
And if you think dancing and sex don’t count — you would be wrong. “To be able to dance is actually a very complicated physical and cognitive task as you age,” Attia said. While everyone’s training will differ depending on their personal goals, Attia believes that — for most people — it will include a mix of aerobics, strength training, balancing exercises and cardio.
Holistic Approach to Longevity
Outside of fitness, some of the other areas he recommends focusing on include maintaining a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, using prescription drugs and supplements as needed and taking good care of your emotional health.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the centenarian decathlon offers a unique and personalized approach to preparing for old age, focusing on health span rather than just lifespan. By identifying the activities that matter most to you and training for them, you can increase your chances of enjoying your marginal decade to the fullest.
FAQs
- Q: What is the centenarian decathlon?
A: The centenarian decathlon is a concept introduced by Dr. Peter Attia, where individuals create a list of 10 physical activities they want to be able to do in their old age and train for them. - Q: Why is it important to focus on health span rather than lifespan?
A: Focusing on health span emphasizes the quality of life, ensuring that the years lived are in good health, rather than just counting the number of years. - Q: How do I start my centenarian decathlon training?
A: Start by making a list of the 10 activities you want to be able to do in your old age, and then begin training for them, incorporating a mix of aerobics, strength training, balancing exercises, and cardio into your regimen. - Q: Is the centenarian decathlon only for older adults?
A: No, the concept is about preparing for old age, so it’s beneficial for individuals of any age to start thinking about and training for their health span.
