Advancing Healthy Aging Through Sports Medicine: Getting Sufficient Exercise, High Protein Diet, Balance Training, Other Lessons Can Help Older Americans – Aging Committee Hearing

Ranking Member Gillibrand, Chairman Scott To Hold Aging Committee Hearing on Advancing Healthy Aging Through Sports Medicine

Editor’s note: The previous hearing hosted by the Special Committee on Aging discussed the importance of physical activity on health and aging.  In addition, one of the most often overlooked health conditions, responsible for a wide variety of symptoms that can be different from person to person, is dehydration. While especially deadly during heat waves, dehydration can be a silent killer, causing a multitude of heart, circulatory system, kidney, and nervous system related symptoms, making it hard to diagnose.  Everyone should be informed about this problem and take steps to mitigate it, particularly for those who dislike the taste of plain water.  The dehydration article provides info about different water substances that people who don’t enjoy its taste can consume instead.  Most important is getting the fluid intake necessary, even if that means drinking seltzer or using a water flavor drop product.   

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This useful hearing covered many important topics that are especially important to older adults.  While everyone can benefit from the information at any age, it is especially pertinent to elderly residents, their caregivers, and concerned relatives or friends of older adults.  These groups should be encouraged to watch and do further research on the information.

The following topics, among others, were covered in the video: 

• Setting goals for where they want to be at specific ages based on activity.  For ex. to be able to board a plane unassisted, to be able to pick up your grandkids, to be able to be socially active, etc.
• How to “train” to be able to meet those goals, whether weight lifting, walking, aerobic exercise, etc.
• Optimal dietary changes to help elderly people keep or rebuild their strength
• Availability of balance education classes at local nonprofit organizations
• Supplementation with protein powders and vitamins for optimized health and wellness
• How the federal and state governments can help seniors make these changes in their lives on a permanent basis, and why their funding is essential

As referenced in the video, there are many supplements that can be helpful for maintaining optimal health, however, they also mentioned it is equally important to purchase the highest quality brands that utilize Good Manufacturing Processes and pure, tested ingredients.  This is especially true for protein powders, but is also helpful to know for supplements.

Most of the panel members agreed that creatine, sufficient protein or supplemental protein, and some vitamins are critical for aging adults. Along with this, a high protein diet low in sugar, rich in whole foods, with a focus on vegetables has been shown, particularly during the previous hearing, to be most beneficial.  Others, such as Dr. Richard Cheng of the Orthomolecular Journal, has suggested that there is enough evidence to suggest that a high protein, high fat, low carb, low processed food and sugar diet is the best to heal chronic conditions while promoting overall wellness.

Some supplement brands that have been around for decades include Solgar, Source Naturals, NOW Foods, Jarrow, NutriCost, Thorne Research, Garden of Life, and others.  Reputable brands that have been in production for many years are more likely to practice rigorous testing of raw materials and finished products, and will thus be more likely to have a pure finished product.  Thorough research by consumers to find the best brand that fits their needs is necessary when adding vitamins and supplements to one’s diet.

Below is Senator Gillibrand’s original announcement about the hearing; 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Wednesday, June 25 at 3:30 PM, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Rick Scott, ranking member and chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, convened a hearing entitled “Lessons from the Field: How Sports Medicine Can Improve Health Outcomes for Seniors” to explore how the principles of sports medicine can be applied to support healthy aging. The hearing spotlights innovative strategies used by sports medicine professionals and athletes to enhance mobility, prevent injuries, reduce health care costs, and promote longer, healthier lives as Americans age. Witnesses will also examine the potential for interdisciplinary care, patient education, and community-based approaches to physical activity and injury prevention.

Witnesses testifying at the hearing will include Dr. E. Lyle Cain, Jr., Orthopaedic Surgeon and Team Physician at the University of Alabama; Dr. Paul S. Legg, Orthopaedic Surgeon and Team Physician at the University of Charleston in West Virginia; former NFL Quarterback Matt Hasselback; and Jennifer Raymond, Chief Strategy Officer at AgeSpan in Massachusetts.

Witnesses for the hearing will include:

• E. Lyle Cain, Jr., MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center, Team Physician, University of Alabama, Birmingham, AL

• Paul S. Legg, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon and Team Physician, University of Charleston, Charleston, WV

• Matt Hasselback, Former NFL Quarterback, Nashville, TN

• Jennifer Raymond, Chief Strategy Officer, AgeSpan, Lawrence, MA

Banner Image: Committee on Aging hearing banner. Image Credit – Aging Committee