Brad Cooper, PhD

The Psychology of Our Physiology Rethinking Age Influences the Body

Direct link: open.substack.com/pub/betterpa...

Latest article from Not Done Yet! series just released. It looks at impact of our psychology on our physiology over 2nd half of life. If not already subscriber, it's freely avail to all via link in bio or next post. Appreciate all the encouragement on this new journey!

15 days out from marathon experiment #2 for this 58 yr old. Encouraging final long(ish) run w/ decent effort on back end. Legs feeling good!

All Things Don't Have to Be Equal! New computer modeling provides objective assessment

“You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.” George Burns

2nd half of life? The years are inevitable. The pace of the aging is up to us.

betterpath.substack.com/p/all-things...

BlueSky Science-Related Feeds

Here's a list of 236 Bluesky science feeds and their hashtags!

#AcademicSky #PhDSky #EduSky 🧪

50's are your prime years!!

In the Meantime Feeling stuck in a holding pattern?

Direct link for those who are not already subscribers: betterpath.substack.com/p/in-the-mea...

This time of the year (and perhaps this phase of life?) can create feeling of being in a holding pattern. The choices we make in the midst of that feeling can make all the difference.
Latest article (bio or next post) takes a closer look.

Wise words for those of us in 2nd half of life. Much easier to settle down, settle in, and settle for (the status quo).

Am I settling today? Or do I have the courage to risk myself in some way, big or small (regardless of my age)?

3 wks out from marathon experiment #2 for this 58 yr old. Today’s session encouraging but definitely a challenge on the back end!

Clarifying the biological and statistical assumptions of cross-sectional biological age predictors: an elaborate illustration using synthetic and real data - BMC Medical Research Methodology Background There is divergence in the rate at which people age. The concept of biological age is postulated to capture this variability, and hence to better represent an individual’s true global physi...

Biological (vs. chronological) age markers not ready for prime time:
"Biological age predictors use same underlying assumptions (lacking stat support), meaning markers of aging uninformative & no more (info) captured than if assigned at random." bmcmedresmethodol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10....

Here is article that digs into the concept of why we aren't required to follow the "lose 1% muscle mass/year after age 40" rule (by tuning into the 2nd part of the statement following those words) - betterpath.substack.com/p/all-things...

6 - Track progress w/ this: here's assessment you can do w/out special equipment:
Total Pull-ups + Total Pushups
Divide by [5K Time minus Plank time]
Example: 10 pull-ups and 50 pushups =60
21 min 5K - 2 min plank =19
Catalyst Baseline =3.16
Compare annually to self (not others)

5 - Avoid the Rabbit Holes. Gym culture (as is true w/ any tribe) has endless rabbit holes. Don't get sucked into comparing bench press/dead lift/squat maxes. Set up a solid routine that addresses your goals, and get after it!

4 - Automate. I live in health & performance world, & while everyone is looking for "motivation," the real solution is in automation. Today's Fri, so I'm in gym. My current routine is Sun/Tues/Fri. I don't think about it anymore than I think about brushing my teeth b4 bed.

3 - Get serious. Most of my gym is used stuff (eg, Craigslist). But a buddy helped me dial in 2 key pieces (rack & solid bench - later added leg press) to create cornerstones. Just as w/ quality shoes, if going garage route, invest in a couple key pieces (w/out blowing up budget)

1 - Get injured. Injuries stink, but they can lead you down new paths. I struggled w/ distal achilles tendonosis for YEARS in early 50's. I needed outlet w/ running off the table, & FINALLY tuned into fun of strength training (something I "knew" as a physical therapist, but...)

All endurance athletes "say" strength training is important, but those in 20s/30s & even 40s usually wink & go for another run. Once we hit 50's, that's no longer an option -it's now critical! Here are thoughts re how strength training became part of this 58 yr old's routine. 🧵

The Funnel Bolstering Life's Second Half

betterpath.substack.com/p/the-funnel

Kick-off article for Not Done Yet! series for those looking to bolster life's 2nd half is up, setting stage for where we're heading & why. No subscription $$ (so avail for all). Hoping it provides meaningful value for at least a few.
You are not done yet!!!!
Direct link in bio or next post.