Good news for white hair (brain plasticity)

[ta0]

From a juggling newsletter I got this:
======================

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16690635

Age Ageing. 2006 Jul;35(4):422-7. Epub 2006 May 11.

Motor plasticity in a juggling task in older adults-a developmental study.
Voelcker-Rehage C, Willimczik K.
Jacobs Center for Lifelong Learning and Institutional Development,
International University, Bremen, Germany.
c.voelcker-rehage@iu-bremen.de

Abstract
OBJECTIVE: to examine the plasticity of motor performance in old age.
Older adults were instructed and trained in a juggling task and their
performances were compared, first, within the group of older adults
and, second, with the performances of children, youths and younger
adults.

SUBJECTS: older adults, children, youths and younger adults (n =
1,206, range 6-89 years).

METHODS: participants were asked to learn a juggling task. Performance
was tested before semantic instruction (pre-test 1), after semantic
instruction (pre-test 2) and after 6 days of juggling practice
(post-test). None of the participants had prior experiences in
juggling. Results were analysed using repeated measure analysis of
variance (ANOVA).

RESULTS: older adults showed a clear improvement in juggling
performance after instruction and after six training sessions. On
average, they reached performances comparable with those of children
aged between 10 and 14 years, and with those of younger adults aged
between 30 and 59 years. Only youths and younger adults aged between
15 and 29 years showed significantly higher performances at baseline,
after instruction and after training.

CONCLUSIONS: older adults exhibit high reserve capacity, that is, a
potential for learning 'new' motor skills.
====================

Not bad, although I would like to be in that 15 to 29 year old bracket again . . . 

[the Earl of Whirl]

With my hair now totally white, I fall squarely in this category.  I get comments constantly about being "old", no matter what I do.  People honk at me and speed around me when I am driving (even when I obviously am going with the flow of traffic).  I hit a homerun in a softball game recently and a woman from the other team said "I want to hit like you when I am old."  I'm not old, I told her.  At camp last week one of the campers laughed at john buechele when we were passing clubs and said "that old man just outlasted you in juggling".  But I know the truth.  I am not dead yet, just older...........and, I can still learn (just slower than some others).

Thank you, Mr. T, for this important affirmation!

[lincolnrick]

I also would fit in the 'older' category.  I do believe that I have the 'potential' to learn more, but like Mike, it may take longer and some stuff is just beyond me now (I doubt I'll be in the 5 club enduro soon).

But on the other hand, I got my 16 trick patch in the mail today, so there 

[kevinm]

so where do i sign up for one of these plastic replacement brains, and will it make me be able to juggle as well as mark hayward?
congrats on you trick patch, lincolnrick!

[the Earl of Whirl]

Now that I am 70 I am humored more than ever about this thread.  Of course us oldsters can still learn and can learn a lot.  Much has happened for me in the past 12 years.  I was committed to try my best to stay active but the new phones with the exercise app really gave me a renewed focus.  I have tried to up my yearly average for walking and flight climbing each year.  Fortunately I have been able to do so for the past 6-7 years.  Many people who tried to get me to stop unicycling are now dead and I am still riding as well as ever.  I have played open mic nights for the past six years on guitar and piano and have learned over 300 new songs.  The juggling is going well and the heavy item juggling has surprised me.  I spend a fair amount of time shooting baskets and doing dribbling drills.  It has kept my shoulders loose and I can feel the progress in my 69 and over softball league.  I know retirement may be in the mix sometime but I am not actively pursuing it as I am enjoying the creative possibilities of parish ministry.  I have too many other things to share but this is enough for now.

[ta0]

I love it! You set the example for us, the youngsters 

Can Dawn keep up with you? 

Many people who tried to get me to stop unicycling are now dead and I am still riding as well as ever.

Ultimate burn!