TL;DR
A Nov. 13 New York Times report asked physical therapy and rehabilitation experts which muscles people should prioritize as they age. The available article excerpt identifies the glutes as a leading focus for walking, balance and fall recovery, and points to the quadriceps as another target; the full list of five muscle groups is not available in the supplied source.
A New York Times report published Nov. 13 asked physical therapy and rehabilitation experts which muscles people should focus on strengthening as they age, citing the role of strength training in maintaining mobility and everyday function. The available excerpt singles out the glutes for walking and balance and names the quadriceps in its section heading, but does not provide enough of the article to verify all five muscle groups in its title.
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The report frames the issue around changes that can occur with age: muscles may weaken, tendons may tighten, and familiar movements may become harder. It says exercise, particularly weight training, can help people maintain strength and mobility. The article’s central question is how to prioritize training when the body has more than 600 muscles.
In the excerpt, the experts focus on muscles used in daily activities such as getting out of bed and climbing stairs. Asked to choose one muscle group, they identified the glutes as a likely priority. The report says these muscles help keep the pelvis level while walking and help a person regain balance after a stumble, including by stepping sideways, as can coordination exercises.
The excerpt’s section heading pairs butt muscles and quadriceps, and it notes that common exercises such as squats and dead lifts target the gluteus maximus, the largest gluteal muscle; resistance band exercises can also support strength training as you age. It does not provide the remaining discussion or the complete set of five groups, so the title alone cannot establish which other muscles the full article recommends.
Strength for Walking and Balance
The advice matters because strength and balance support routine movement, not just athletic performance. Standing up, using stairs and recovering from a misstep all draw on the ability to move with control. The report’s emphasis on the glutes reflects the experts’ focus on functional tasks and fall prevention.
This is guidance about broad priorities, not an individualized exercise prescription. A person’s needs can differ based on their health, current strength, mobility and experience with resistance training. The supplied excerpt does not specify training frequency, weight, repetitions or a program, and it should not be read as clinical advice tailored to any one reader.
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How the Experts Chose Priorities
The New York Times article, written by Keith Mulvihill, says the publication asked physical therapy and rehabilitation experts which muscles deserve attention with age. Its approach is to connect muscle groups to practical movement rather than provide a catalogue of the body’s anatomy.
Odessa Addison, a professor of physical therapy and rehabilitation science at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, is quoted in the available excerpt describing her perspective as a physical therapist who specializes in fall prevention. The excerpt also notes that exercisers often target the gluteus maximus with squats and dead lifts. Those details are the only specific exercise and expert comments available in the supplied report text.
““I come at this as a physical therapist and somebody who specializes in fall prevention, so that’s what I’m thinking about.””
— Odessa Addison, professor of physical therapy and rehabilitation science at the University of Maryland School of Medicine
The Full Five-Muscle List
The supplied New York Times text is a partial preview that ends during the article’s section on glutes and quadriceps. It does not show the full report, so the other muscle groups, the complete expert explanations and any additional exercise examples cannot be confirmed from this source material.
The excerpt also offers no comparative evidence showing that one muscle group is universally more important than another, and it does not specify a standard training plan or quantify expected effects on falls, mobility or strength. Those details should not be inferred from the article title or the partial text.
Further Details Depend on the Full Report
The article’s full recommendations would be needed to confirm all five muscle groups and the reasoning experts give for each. The source provided here does not state when the remaining text will become available, nor does it identify a later study or policy milestone. Readers seeking the complete list should consult the full New York Times report rather than treating the partial excerpt as a finished exercise program.
For anyone considering a new strength routine, the available report supports the general focus on functional strength but does not set out personal safety instructions. People with existing health conditions, pain or balance concerns can ask a qualified health professional or physical therapist for guidance suited to their circumstances.
Key Questions
What is the report’s main development?
The Nov. 13 New York Times report asked physical therapy and rehabilitation experts which muscles to prioritize for strength and mobility as people age.
Which muscles does the available excerpt identify?
It identifies the glutes as a likely priority and has a section headed “Butt Muscles and Quads.” The excerpt does not provide enough text to verify the complete list of five.
Why do the experts emphasize the glutes?
The report says glutes help keep the pelvis level during walking and support balance recovery after a stumble, including through a sideways step. These functions connect them to everyday movement and fall prevention.
Does the excerpt prescribe a specific workout?
No. It mentions squats and dead lifts as exercises that target the gluteus maximus, but gives no complete routine, schedule, weight or repetition guidance in the supplied text.
What remains unknown from the supplied source?
The remaining muscle groups, the full set of expert comments and any additional exercise recommendations are absent because the supplied report is a partial preview.
Source: nytimes.com
