Copyright © 2014 American College of Sports Medicine Understanding Human Aging Chapter 1.

Copyright © 2014 American College of Sports Medicine

Understanding Human AgingUnderstanding Human Aging

Chapter 1


Outline

• Definition of aging

• Biological theories of aging

• Concept of successful aging

• Physical activity and successful aging


Definitions of age and the aging processDefinitions of age and the aging process

• Chronological age

• Biological age

• Psychological age

• Social age


Chronological ageChronological age

• Length of time or passage of calendar time

• Human aging—important to consider a broader perspective


Biological ageBiological age

• Age-related changes in biological or physiological processes

• Biological age assessment


Psychological agePsychological age

• Age-related changes in mental or cognitive functioning

• assessment of psychological aging


Social ageSocial age

• Social roles and expectations

• Assessment


Biological theories of agingBiological theories of aging

• Large number of theories have been proposed

• Increasingly likely that aging is not caused by a single mechanism


Biological theories of aging (cont.)Biological theories of aging (cont.)

• Cellular theories of aging

• Genetic theories of aging

• Control theories of aging


Cellular theories of agingCellular theories of aging

• Degenerative changes that occur at the microscopic level of analysis

• free-radical oxidation

• cross-links


Genetic theories of agingGenetic theories of aging

• Age-related changes can be attributed to genetic mechanisms

• “Hayflick limit”

• Telomere


Control theories of agingControl theories of aging

• Function of specific physiologic systems known to be vital for controlling our bodies’ ability to respond to stressors

• T-cell activity

• Major histocompatibility complex (MHC)

• Immune system


Successful agingSuccessful aging

• The rate and the extent of functional decline: differences between individuals

• Physical activity

• Benefits of physical activity for the individual persons

• Societal benefits of promoting physically active lifestyles among older person


Key Points

• Defining aging requires a broad perspective of chronological, biological, psychological, and social aspects.

• Aging is a complex process in which multiple biological mechanisms are acting at the molecular, cellular, and system levels. It makes difficult to identify a single unified theory of biological aging.

• Large scientific evidence links physical activity participation to successful aging.

Copyright © 2014 American College of Sports Medicine Understanding Human Aging Chapter 1.

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