Last Updated: October 02. 2010 1:00AM Dr. Paul Donohue: Your Health

Dear Dr. Donohue: I am 70, and I work out only by dynamic tension principles and have done so for 56 years. no weights. I am blessed with discipline, good hair and good skin. I walk an hour every day. I look and act like I’m in my 50s. — S.S.

Answer: Aging doesn’t have to doom people to loss of muscles and strength. People have to work at it to keep themselves strong. many problems attributed to old age are problems that come from loss of strength — the inability to rise from a chair and the loss of balance with frequent falls, for example.

You mention your program is dynamic tension. do you know that is a registered trademark of Charles Atlas Ltd.? The story goes that Charles, in trying to devise a strengthening program for himself, considered how strong wild animals were without ever lifting weights. he devised his dynamic tension program that pits one set of muscles against another. it worked wonders for him and apparently for you.

Dear Dr. Donohue: I am in my late 60s and recently have seen my doctor for my semiannual checkup. recently I had a disturbing experience. As I struggled to climb a very steep hill, I felt like my chest was going to explode. after a few minutes of rest, I felt fine. Can you explain this?

answer: I can’t dismiss chest pain like the kind you describe as a one-time, fluke event. you have to make sure your heart is healthy, even though you just had a physical exam. Call your doctor, and describe what happened. I’d knock off exercise until you’re seen.

Dear Dr. Donohue: I am now in my 89th year and still working out at the YMCA six times a week. Monday, Wednesday and Friday are for half an hour on a bike at a speed of 75 revolutions per minute. then I do 500 sit-ups and crunches on five different pieces of equipment. On Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays I do a total of 750 repetitions on 25 different pieces of equipment.

Do you suggest any changes? — R.V.

answer: Changes? no. I couldn’t imitate you if my life depended on it.

I have been getting many letters from older people who exercise at a level that would challenge Hercules. I can’t imagine being able to do what you do at 89 years of age. Readers shouldn’t try to match this sort of program without permission of their doctors. I offer it as an example of what is possible for some elderly people.

Your health Readers may write Dr. Donohue at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475.