How does jumping affect aging?

Jumping and landing proficiency are tightly linked with minimizing the likelihood of falling as we age. Specifically, the deterioration of type two muscle fibers, which are the fast-twitch fibers responsible for explosive movements like jumping, is a key indicator of aging within muscles. The decline in the ability of an individual to jump with age — such as moving from an 18-year-old's 30-inch vertical jump to something significantly less — illustrates the aging effect on muscle.

The loss of muscle attributes due to aging occurs in a sequence: speed is compromised first, followed by strength, and lastly, size. It's critical for aging individuals to incorporate training that specifically targets and maintains type two fibers to delay atrophy and support healthy aging. This kind of training is essential alongside other exercises, such as zone two cardio, for overall vitality as one ages 1.