The American population overall is getting older. Here in Arkansas, it’s predicted that by 2030 more than a quarter of the state’s population will be 60 or older. Researcher Michelle Gray works to help older adults in Arkansas and beyond improve the quality of their lives.
In this month’s Short Talks from the Hill, Gray, a professor of exercise science and the head of the Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation, talks about her work on how to slow the physical and cognitive decline brought on by aging. One recommendation she has for everyone is resistance training at least twice a week.
“I want to be super clear. We’re not going to look like a football player. We’re not going to look like our student athletes that are across campus. But that’s enough to improve muscular strength in order to have the highest health outcomes that we possibly can,” Gray said.
It is never too late to start resistance training. Gray has worked with people as old as 92.
You can hear more about Gray’s research by visiting arkansasresearch.uark.edu or downloading Short Talks wherever you get your podcasts.
Short Talks from the Hill highlights research, scholarly work and economic development news at the U of A.
