The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reports exercise can increase life expectancy and keep disabling conditions (e.g., heart disease, depression, etc.) at bay, and features exercises recommended by sports physicians, exercise psychologists and physical therapists for people in their 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, and beyond.

WSJ spoke to Jordan D. Metzl, MD, primary care sports medicine physician at HSS, who explained, “The mistake most people make is to ramp up too quickly.” If you’re unsure of your fitness level, start with the recommended routines for the later years and build up gradually to your age. To maintain muscle power and bone strength, experts recommend adding some high-intensity exercise, such as jump squats, that require short bursts of intense energy. These workouts are more effective than many other fitness programs in treating conditions including type-2 diabetes, depression, and muscle loss that accompanies aging. Dr. Metzl recommends his patients do some high-intensity exercises two days a week. “Do not be afraid of intensity,” said Dr. Metzl.

Read the full article at WSJ.com (subscription required). This also appeared in the April 22, 2019 print issue.