What Changes in Your Body Can Affect the Way You Move as You Age?
You may notice small differences before you really think about them.
Getting up from a chair takes a little longer.
Stairs feel harder than they used to.
You need a few more steps before your body feels loose in the morning.
You cannot quite reach the top shelf the way you once could.
None of these changes necessarily means something is wrong.
Ageing naturally changes the way the body moves, but how much your movement changes varies considerably from person to person.
Strength, flexibility, balance, previous injuries, activity levels, health conditions, work history and lifestyle can all influence how you move over time.
The good news is that getting older does not mean you have to stop being active or accept every change as inevitable.
Understanding what is changing can help you make sensible choices about staying strong, mobile and confident.
What changes in your body as you age?
Ageing affects many parts of the body, and several of these changes can influence movement.
They do not all happen at the same rate, and they are not identical for everyone.
Muscle strength can change:
Muscle mass and strength tend to decline with age, particularly when physical activity and resistance exercise decrease.
This can affect everyday movements that require force.
Getting out of a low chair, carrying shopping, climbing stairs or lifting something from the floor may gradually feel more demanding.
This is one reason maintaining strength becomes increasingly useful as you get older.
Strength is not just about going to the gym.
It can support independence in everyday life.
Your joints may feel stiffer:
You may notice that your joints do not move quite as freely as they once did.
Some people experience more stiffness after sitting for a long time or first thing in the morning.
Previous injuries, osteoarthritis and other joint conditions can also influence mobility.
However, stiffness is not simply a guaranteed consequence of getting older.
Two people of the same age can have very different levels of joint mobility and comfort.
Balance can change:
Balance relies on several systems working together.
Your vision, inner ear, nervous system, muscles and joints all provide information that helps your brain understand where your body is in space.
Changes in any of these systems can influence balance.
You might notice this when:
walking on uneven ground
stepping off a kerb
standing on one leg
getting up quickly
walking in low light
Maintaining strength and staying physically active can support balance and confidence.
Why does flexibility often change with age?
Flexibility can gradually decrease when joints and muscles are used less or when physical activity changes.
You might notice this when reaching behind your back, turning your head, squatting or getting down to the floor.
But flexibility is not simply something you lose because you reach a particular birthday.
Regular movement can help maintain useful ranges of motion.
The goal does not need to be becoming extremely flexible.
For most people, the more important question is whether you have enough comfortable movement to do the things you want to do.
Previous injuries can catch up with you:
Your movement at 60 is not necessarily determined by your age alone.
Your previous 40 or 50 years matter too.
Perhaps you:
injured your knee playing sport
fractured an ankle
worked in a physically demanding job
spent years sitting at a desk
had surgery
stopped exercising for a long period
Old injuries can influence how you move even after the original problem has settled.
You may have developed habits that became second nature.
This does not mean an old injury has permanently damaged your movement.
It simply means your history is relevant when considering why something feels different now.
Does being less active accelerate movement changes?
It can contribute.
This is one of the reasons the phrase “use it or lose it” has some relevance to movement.
If you stop challenging your muscles, your strength and physical capacity can decrease.
If you spend less time walking, climbing stairs or performing other everyday activities, those tasks may gradually feel more demanding.
The answer does not need to be an intense exercise programme.
Regular walking, resistance exercises, balance activities and other forms of movement can all contribute to maintaining physical capacity.
The appropriate activities depend on your health, fitness and individual circumstances.
Can chiropractic care support movement as you age?
Depending on your symptoms and individual circumstances, chiropractic care may form part of a broader approach to managing some musculoskeletal concerns.
An assessment may consider your movement, joint mobility, strength, previous injuries, activity levels and the tasks you want to continue doing.
Care may include hands-on treatment, exercise recommendations, mobility work and practical advice, depending on your presentation.
Chiropractic care is not about stopping the ageing process or making every person move exactly the same way.
The focus should be on your individual needs and helping you understand the factors that may be affecting your movement.
FAQ
Does everyone lose mobility as they get older?
No. Mobility changes vary considerably between individuals. Activity levels, previous injuries, health conditions, strength and lifestyle can all influence how well someone moves as they age.
Why do I feel stiffer as I get older?
Stiffness can be influenced by reduced activity, changes in joint mobility, previous injuries and conditions such as osteoarthritis. Regular movement can help maintain useful mobility, although persistent or worsening stiffness may warrant assessment.
Can you build muscle after 60?
Yes. People can continue to develop strength and physical capacity later in life. The appropriate type and intensity of resistance exercise depends on your individual health, fitness and experience.
Is it normal for walking speed to decrease with age?
Walking speed can naturally change as people age, but a significant or sudden change may have other contributors, including pain, weakness, balance problems or health conditions. A noticeable change is worth discussing with a healthcare professional.
How can I stay mobile as I get older?
Regular walking, strength exercises, balance activities and everyday movement can all support physical capacity. Start at an appropriate level and gradually build according to your abilities.
When should I get changes in movement checked?
Consider an assessment if movement changes are painful, progressively worsening, affecting everyday activities or associated with weakness, numbness, balance problems or falls.
If changes in strength, mobility, balance or joint movement are starting to affect the activities you enjoy, an individual assessment may help you understand what is contributing. Wellbeing Chiropractic has clinics across Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. Book an appointment to discuss your movement, symptoms and goals based on your history and examination findings.
