Lifting, Longevity and the Masters Athlete with Dr. James McKendry

In this episode, Dr. Christina Prevett interviews Dr. James McKendry, an expert in nutrition and healthy aging, focusing on the unique population of master athletes. They discuss the physiological differences between master athletes and sedentary older adults, the importance of resistance training, and the impact of lifelong exercise on muscle health and performance metrics like VO2 max. The conversation also touches on cardiovascular health, gender differences in athletic performance, and the role of nutrition in combating sarcopenia. Dr. McKendry emphasizes that it's never too late to start exercising and that older adults can still respond positively to exercise interventions.

Timestamps: 

00:00 Introduction to Master Athletes and Research Background

03:06 Understanding Master Athletes and Aging

05:50 Muscle Physiology and Aging 

08:56 Resistance Training and Its Importance

12:08 Endurance Athletes and Their Unique Physiology

15:08 VO2 Max and Its Implications for Aging

17:53 Cardiovascular Health in Master Athletes

20:49 Gender Differences in Master Athletes

23:42 Sarcopenia and Muscle Health

26:59 The Role of Nutrition in Aging and Exercise

29:49 Future Research Directions and Closing Thoughts