BODY. Learn This Sport for Longevity.
I have never agreed with the saying, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” To use another cliche in the opposite vein, “when there’s a will, there’s a way.”
What is your will for longevity and potential for a prolonged lifespan?
At least I will speak for myself - mine is pretty high. And I believe staying active is an integral ingredient to the longevity equation - after all, our bodies are made to move. That is in part why I got hooked to a new sport my senior year in college: Nordic skiing. As a soccer player, runner, track athlete, even at the age of 21 I recognized there aren’t too many role models out there of 70 year olds still in the game of those sports.
Nordic skiing on the other hand? There is an entire wave bracket designated to the 70 year old + demographic in the legendary Birkiebiener race (think Boston Marathon hype/legacy for cross-country skiing). When I did this race last in 2020, I was amazed at the age span of those completing and competing this physical feat. Nordic skiing seems like a secret sauce for longevity and staying active no matter the birth year.
If you live in a snowy place, here are a few reasons to consider trying some version of Nordic skiing (there are two “types:” skate skiing and classic skiing - video explaining all of the confusing language of xc vs. nordic vs. skate vs. classic here). Both have very similar benefits, listed below. I did do a scan of the research to try and corroborate my below claims, but there is not much published data at this point. However, empirical evidence of the health of countries where Nordic skiing predominates as well as my own personal analysis supports the below reasoning to give a try to a lifetime sport:
Cardiovascular Fitness: In researching this article, I saw a quote without a reference that “it is widely accepted in the field of exercise physiology that cross-country skiing is the best cardiovascular exercise known.”
Two of top three of the highest VO2 max scores recorded have been recorded by Nordic skiers. Increasing VO2 max has a direct correlation a decreased all-cause mortality.
Full Body Workout: name the muscle and Nordic skiing probably hits it. Core, glut, lats, bicep, tricep, tibialis anterior, hamstring … using all four limbs for propulsion has the potential for most major muscles and many minor to get fired and wired.
Coordination: while no hand-eye coordination is necessary, the use of all limbs does challenge certain aspects of the brain, helping to keep a mental edge. There are many studies showing the benefit of learning to dance with age, and I imagine the same would be found if studied for Nordic skiing.
Balance: while many point to declining bone density as a worrisome cause for mortality in 60+ demographic due to hip fracture, I think more about balance being a causative factor. If balance is preserved, it makes fall risk less likely, and therefore bone breakage less likely as well. Nordic skiing forces the practice of balance (to your own comfort), and generally offers a soft(er) cushion of snow should a fall happen in the process.
Easy on Joints: unlike road running or other high impact sports, Nordic skiing is much gentler on joints between the softer surface and gliding motion.
Time In Nature: Nordic skiing gets you out in the woods with likely very few people around. It is one of the best forms of “nature cure” I have experienced with the gifts of snowy trees, quiet forest and movement in the outdoors. If that is not a recipe for mental health as well, I don’t know what is.
While this sport can take time and patience to learn, I believe that the effort spent is worth the reward for all of the benefits (and challenge) received in the process.
